Before you make the decision to install a traditional HVAC system into your home, you may want to consider going with a ductless heating system instead.

A ductless heating system can be hugely beneficial in providing better comfort at lower costs. Here at W.F. Smith, we install Mitsubishi ductless heating systems into Philadelphia area homes.

What is a Ductless Heating System?

A traditional HVAC system uses a duct system to carry warm or cool air through the different rooms in your home. A ductless heating system produces heat or cool air through units installed in designated zones throughout the home. The lack of a duct system means that energy won’t be lost during the transfer of heat or cool air from the HVAC system to the rest of the home.

The Benefits of a Ductless Heating System

There are a number of benefits that make a ductless heating system something that you should seriously consider. Ductless heating sytems:

• Save Energy – Not only do you save energy by eliminating the loss of energy through a duct system, but you can save energy by heating or cooling each zone separately instead of heating or cooling the entire home. For example, if everyone in the home is in the living room, then there’s no need to waste energy heating the bedrooms.
• Save Money – Since you’ll be saving energy, you’ll end up saving money as a direct result. By using less energy and preventing the loss of energy, your heating and cooling bills will go down.
• Improve Comfort – The ability to control each zone separately means that you have more control over comfort. You can heat or cool a room you are in much quicker using zonal heating and cooling since you don’t have to wait for the entire house to cool down or warm up.
• Increase Flexibility – The units used in each zone are smaller than room air conditioners, which means that they are unobtrusive. You have more flexibility in terms of where you install them as well – you can set them on the floor, hang them from the wall or suspend them from the ceiling.
• Remove Need For Ducts – You don’t need a duct system. Not only do ducts often lose energy due to duct damage, but you’ll need to periodically clean your ducts and have them inspected for damage and repaired if necessary.

Will Ductless Heating Benefit You?

Ductless heating systems are an effective solution for Pennsylvania homeowners and provide many benefits that a traditional heating system simply can’t offer.

These benefits affect homes with more than one level and many rooms more so than one-story, open floor designed homes. The more rooms your building has, the more effective a ductless heating system will be. If your home has a large, open floor plan with only one or two rooms, then a ductless heating system may not provide enough of an advantage over a traditional HVAC system to be worth the investment.

If you are interested in installing a ductless heating system in your Philadelphia area home, then be sure to contact us for a free estimate today.

There are a lot more options than there used to be when it comes to heating and cooling. For example, you’re no longer just restricted to a duct system – you can now install ductless heating units onto your property. Ductless heating units are comprised of a small outdoor unit and one or more indoor units.

The following are just a few of the benefits of ductless heating.

Ductless Heating: What It Means for Philadelphia Properties

Ductless heating is easier to retrofit – People that own older homes may not want to install a duct system that runs through each room. This would require that they eliminate all kinds of space, from attic floor space to basement headroom to even closet space. Not to mention that when it comes to historic homes, the less you have to change the original floor plan, the better.

All you need to install a ductless heating unit is space to mount the unit and access to electricity. Because ductless heating units are so easy to install, they can be advantageous for new homes as well – especially since they don’t take up nearly as much square footage.

Ductless heating can save you money – One of the biggest advantages of switching to ductless heating is that it can save you a ton of money over the long run.

Standard duct systems use up a lot of energy generating heat and distributing via ducts around the entire house. Any damage to the duct system can cause the heating system to work inefficiently, thereby causing your heating bills to go up.

A ductless heating unit will disperse heat directly into the room it’s located in, which means heat is not lost as it’s dispersed. Not only does it make heating your home more efficient, but ductless systems use less power to operate. You can even use a multi-split system in order to control the heat in different zones of your home. This means that you can heat one part of your home at a time unlike duct systems, which heat even rooms that aren’t being used.

In addition to saving on energy costs because of these reasons, you may also be eligible for utility rebates or tax credits.

Ductless heating results in better air quality – With traditional HVAC systems, the air ducts have to be professionally cleaned on a regular basis. Even with a regular professional cleaning, dust and allergens often build up within the ducts and are spread throughout the home.

Ductless heating units contain multi-stage filtration to help reduce dust, allergens, bacteria and other particles in the air, thereby drastically improving the air quality of your home.

Ductless heating is more environmentally friendly – Because of the zoning capabilities and the superior energy efficiency, a ductless heating unit is the more environmentally friendly option.

Install a Ductless Heating System In Philly

As you can see by the benefits, ductless heating is a better option than installing a traditional duct system.

For more information about installing a ductless heating system in your home, be sure to contact the heating experts at W.F. Smith. We have over 70 years of experience and we work to keep your home comfortable throughout Philadelphia’s coldest days and nights.

Contact us for a free estimate!

There’s a pretty good chance that you’ll be cranking up your home’s heat once winter hits the Philadelphia, PA area. Philly winters aren’t known to be mild, after all.

As you begin putting your heating system to more use, you’re going to find that your energy costs are going up. Depending on how energy efficient your home is, you could see your energy bills skyrocket. The following are a few tips and tricks to help homeowners in the Greater Philadelphia area save energy around the house this winter as well as reasons why you should do so:

Ways to Save Energy: Philadelphia Style

The following are a few tips that can help you to save a substantial amount of energy around the house:

1. Schedule a Heating Inspection

You should schedule a heating system inspection once a year to ensure that it’s working properly and efficiently. Schedule the inspection right before winter hits so that you have time to repair any potential problems before they get any worse with use.

2. Install a Programmable Thermostat

Sometimes you have to spend money to save money. Upgrading your old thermostat to one that is programmable will allow you to set it to automatically change to a more energy-saving setting during times that you are out of the home or asleep. There’s no point in heating the house if you’re not at home, after all.

3. Insulate Your Attic

Older homes in the Greater Philadelphia area may not have insulated attics, meaning you could be spending hundreds of dollars each winter on wasted heat, and money! If your attic is already insulated, have it inspected to see if it needs to be replaced or upgraded. Attic insulation is vital to keeping energy use down. This is because the heat your heating system produces will rise (as all hot air does). If your attic isn’t insulated, the heat will escape into the attic and out of your home. This means that your heating system will have to use more energy than it should in order to replace lost heat – and result in expensive heating bills.

Reasons to Reduce Energy Use

Saving on your energy bills isn’t the only reason why you should try to save energy this winter. The following are a few other reasons:

– Reduce repairs and replacement – The less efficient your HVAC system works (whether it’s due to minor system problems or due to the need to overwork because of lost energy), the greater the odds are that you’ll have to spend money on repairs or replacement.

– Reduce your environmental footprint – Saving energy is just a responsible thing to do. The less of a negative impact your home makes on the environment, the better.

– Add value to the home – A more energy efficient home, whether due to added insulation, upgraded HVAC system or more, will help improve the value of your house.

– Maintain comfort – The less energy that is being lost, the more comfortable your home will be – something that’s especially important during the winter season.

70+ Years of Heating Experience

Use these tips in order to save energy around your Philadelphia area home this winter. For additional advice concerning home energy use or your home’s HVAC system, be sure to contact us at W.F. Smith today.

The holidays are a busy time for most. You’re probably going to have to do a good bit of holiday shopping depending on the size of your family and you may even have guests over for a holiday dinner. You’re going to quickly notice that all of this is going to affect your energy costs.

You’ll want to keep your home nice and warm for all of your friends and family that stay over, after all. Not to mention that there’s a pretty good chance you’ll be imprisoned in your kitchen trying desperately to put together an assortment of holiday dishes without catching fire to your house.

All of this can be stressful enough as it is without the added anxiety caused by pouring over those high energy bills – so let us provide you with a few tips that can help you reduce your energy costs during the holiday season:

Heating Tips: How to Save Energy During the Holidays

1. Keep the Oven Closed

We know you want to check on that Christmas ham and maybe get a whiff of that delicious aroma, but every time you open the oven door the oven’s temperature drops as much as 25 degrees. Resist checking whatever it is your baking way before you know that it’ll be done and if you do need to check it, simply turn the oven light on and look through the window.

2. Match Pans & Burners

When using your stove top, make sure that the pans or pots you are heating up fit on the burner. If you place a small six-inch pan on an eight-inch burner, you’re going to end up losing a lot of heat. Conversely, if you place an eight-inch pan on a six-inch burner, it’s going to take much longer than usual to heat your food up.

3. Run Full Dishwasher Loads

The dishwasher will actually use less water than if you wash dishes by hand – and if you have guests over, the last thing you want to do is spend all day washing their dishes anyway. Just make sure you only run the dishwasher when there is a full load – and if you rinse your dishes before putting them in the dishwasher, rinse them using cold water. Hot water takes up a lot of energy to heat.

4. Schedule a Heating Inspection

You don’t want your heating system breaking down in the middle of a family meal, nor do you want your heating system working so inefficiently that your heating bills are astronomical. Have your furnace inspected (or heat pump, depending on your heating system) before the holidays hit so you can repair any issues before they become costly.

5. Insulate Your Attic

Insulate your attic to make sure your home’s heat doesn’t escape your house when temperatures drop during the holidays. This will help keep heat trapped inside your home, thereby keeping you and your guests warm and comfortable.

Philadelphia’s Heating Experts for 70 Years

These are just a few holiday heating tips that you should keep in mind to keep energy costs down and comfort up. For information about our heating services, contact us at W.F. Smith today.

A furnace can be a noisy thing. Luckily, for most of us, we’ve grown accustomed to the unique sounds our heating system emits. You rest in bed at night, waiting to hear the familiar rumble that lets you know all is well and the night ahead will be toasty and warm.

Normal furnace sounds you hear regularly are a comfort in themselves, letting you know your system is at work to keep your home warm. But what about the sounds that aren’t part of your furnace’s usual operation? Could these sounds indicate impending problems for homeowners? And just what do these booms, screeches, and crashes really mean? Check out this infographic for a quick overview of some of the common culprits of these unusual sounds.

Below, we’ve outlined five furnace noises you shouldn’t ignore.

Warning Signs Your Furnace Needs Repair

Noises are usually an indication that your furnace needs routine maintenance or repair. However, some noises can indicate an issue with your furnace that could possibly put you and your family at risk. Here is a list of five problematic furnace noises and what your furnace is trying to tell you.

1. Booming – It’s not uncommon for homeowners to hear a boom when the furnace engages. In some furnaces, especially older models, a boom could indicate the buildup of gas from a delay in the ignition. If you hear this sound, call a professional service technician immediately, especially if there is an odor of natural gas around the furnace.
2. Clicking – A clicking noise coming from your furnace is typically an indication of a faulty flame sensor or possibly a problem between the ignition and the gas. This will also require immediate attention.
3. Squealing – Not unlike a car, squealing coming from your furnace could indicate a faulty belt or a failing fan motor. Both fixes are usually pretty routine but do require a certified HVAC service technician.
4. Rattling – A rattling sound that doesn’t subside could be indicative of worn or broken components in the motor or fan. If the rattling worsens, you could be hearing the sound of a complete system failure.
5. Chirping – Chirping noises are common in a furnace that hasn’t been used in a while. If you hear chirping, and it’s the beginning of the furnace season, wait a bit. If the chirping doesn’t go away, you may need your fan belts replaced or some similar routine maintenance performed.

If your furnace is making any of these noises (or if it’s making a completely different noise!), we recommend calling out an expert to ensure everything’s working safely.

Maintenance Is Key

Routine furnace maintenance is a must in order to keep your furnace in good working order. If it’s been a while since you’ve had your furnace inspected, the sounds you hear could simply be due to your lack of seasonal maintenance and not a major problem.

W. F. Smith can help you decipher the language of your furnace. When you hear noises that aren’t part of normal operation, contact our professional heating technicians. The longer you ignore these five furnace noises, the more damage could be done to your system. These not-so-normal sounds can be a red flag that you need service now. Watch this quick video for a recap about when you should call W.F. Smith Heating & Air Conditioning to take a look at your furnace.

Contact us at the first sound of trouble, and don’t forget to ask about our maintenance plans!

• Philadelphia Furnace Maintenance
• Philadelphia Furnace Repair