Central cooling systems using conventional air conditioners and heat pumps are widely used in homes throughout Maryland. While these systems are certainly the most common and easily recognizable, they aren’t a homeowner’s only choice when it comes to home cooling systems. Ductless cooling systems are increasing in popularity, yet many homeowners aren’t familiar with this option. Grove Heating & Cooling explains how these systems differ and answers this common question: how does ductless air conditioning work?
Conventional air conditioners and heat pumps are central cooling systems as they distribute cooled air from a centralized location within the home, which is the indoor air handling unit or furnace blower. Air is cooled by the indoor evaporator coils, and the blower forces conditioned air through a ductwork distribution system into living areas. Split central cooling systems use an indoor air handler and outdoor heat pump or air conditioner, and the units are connected by refrigerant lines. Packaged cooling units have a single unit that contains all components that would be housed between the two units of a split system.
What makes ductless air conditioners different is that conditioned air isn’t distributed from a centralized point in the home. Instead of dispersing cooled air through ducts and into rooms from a central unit, ductless air conditioning systems use dedicated air handling units installed within the areas they serve to send air directly into the space. These cooling systems do not use ducts – air moves directly from the air handler into the living space. Ductless air conditioning systems are split systems that use an outdoor air conditioner or heat pump and one or many indoor air handlers which connect to the outdoor unit via the refrigerant line set.
A ductless AC has the same cooling process of a conventional air conditioner or heat pump. In addition to system setup and distribution, notable differences between the two types of cooling systems include:
In a conventional central air conditioning system, a single indoor unit creates cooled air for the entire home. One thermostat is used to adjust temperature conditions for all living areas, ignoring individual needs of different areas.
Ductless mini-split systems are different because these units can provide zoned cooling. Each indoor air handling unit is controlled independently of the other air handlers, even though a single outdoor unit assists with the cooling process for the entire home.
When different areas of the home are able to control temperature needs without disrupting conditions across other rooms and living spaces, this is what we call a zoned system. Individualized cooling is delivered to each zone based on that zone’s needs. This is something that cannot be done in a conventional central cooling system without specialized equipment that allows multiple thermostats to communicate with the air conditioner and control airflow through the ducts.
Zoned cooling from a ductless heating and cooling system offers great benefits toward comfort and energy efficiency. Everyone has the ability to set different temperatures in their own space, personalizing the family’s comfort. This control also conserves energy, as ductless air handlers only produce cooling in their area as needed, not whenever another area requires cooling.
Ductless mini-split air conditioners eliminate the energy losses associated with duct systems. Leaks in ducts are present in most homes, wasting as much as 20 to 30 percent of the air conditioner’s cooled air on average. By delivering conditioned air directly from the air handler into the living space, ductless HVAC systems are 20 to 30 percent more efficient on average right from the start.
Cooling loss through duct leaks also causes hot and cold spots throughout homes. In ducted air conditioning systems, areas furthest away from the indoor unit often struggle to receive enough cooling. Ductless air conditioners deliver cooled air directly from the source so there’s no opportunity for energy loss.
If you’re in the market for a new air conditioning system, consider how ductless air conditioning systems can make your home more comfortable and energy efficient. Contact Grove Heating & Cooling today to request a consultation.
When it comes to home cooling systems, conventional central air conditioners and heat pumps are the most common in Maryland homes. If you’re familiar with these unit types, you know that air conditioners only cool air, but heat pumps provide both heating and cooling. This fact leads some to wonder whether a heat pump cools as well as an air conditioner, which Grove Heating & Cooling discusses in its most recent blog.
In regard to how air is cooled, heat pumps and air conditioners perform the same way, transferring heat between two sources following the same steps.
While air conditioners only cool, heat pumps heat and cool by simply reversing the process.
As cooling systems, heat pumps and air conditioners function the same. But, does a heat pump cool as well as an air conditioner? The answer is yes. These two types of heating and cooling units are practically the same when operating as cooling systems. Their cooling processes are the same, the two system types run about equal in terms of energy efficiency, and energy costs to operate heat pumps and air conditioners are about the same.
One difference between the two systems is that heat pumps usually do a better job at dehumidifying air than air conditioners. This conserves electricity and makes the home feel more comfortable.
Are there any advantages to using a heat pump instead of an air conditioner for cooling? The answer to this question is also yes!
While you won’t notice many differences regarding how a heat pump and an air conditioning system cool the air, the benefits come when it’s time to heat your home. Heat pumps function exceptionally well as heating systems in Maryland, as our seasonal highs and lows aren’t typically extreme.
Heat pumps are a more sustainable cooling option compared to air conditioners simply because of their heating qualities. Air conditioners are often paired with natural gas furnaces for heating, forcing the use of fossil fuels which results in higher carbon emissions than those generated by a heat pump’s electricity consumption.
Without the use of fossil fuels or the combustion process for heating, heat pumps are safer to operate with a minimal risk of fire, and no risk of gas explosion or carbon monoxide exposure.
Does a heat pump cool as well as an air conditioner? Yes, it does. While air conditioners and heat pumps are seemingly equal in terms of cooling, a heat pump offers heating advantages that just aren’t possible from an air conditioner. Call Grove Heating & Cooling today to learn more about our heat pump options and request an estimate for heat pump installation.
As a homeowner, an important part of upkeep is HVAC maintenance. Both heating and cooling systems need yearly professional tune ups, and this is the time of year where care for your air conditioner really makes a difference.
In our most recent blog, the HVAC system technicians at Grove Heating & Cooling discuss the importance of AC maintenance and what this service includes.
When performing a tune up, air conditioning technicians complete a long list of tasks in order to care for all of the system’s vital components and ensure they are all working correctly. It will take around an hour for a qualified HVAC technician to complete a tune up routine that includes:
Air conditioners should receive a professional maintenance tune up once per year. If you use a heat pump cooling system, that equipment should receive two tune ups per year, as it functions for both home heating and cooling. It’s wise to schedule tune ups for your air conditioner in the spring so maintenance has been completed ahead of summer when it’s time to start using your system for the season.
If you don’t schedule your AC tune up in the spring and you’ve already been using your air conditioner this summer, that’s ok! Even though the system has started, you should still schedule a tune up. The care provided during a tune up will still be beneficial and help your air conditioner run at peak efficiency for the rest of the season. Even if you haven’t had your air conditioner tuned up in years, it’s never too late to start!
All of the AC tune up tasks are meant to deliver some very important benefits for your air conditioning unit. Your investment in regular cooling system maintenance has an excellent return when it comes to your comfort and savings over the years.
If you’re wondering what an AC tune includes, the pros at Grove Heating & Cooling are always happy to answer that question. Schedule your tune up today, and we’ll share how this important service protects your cooling system for years to come!
Air pollution is seen as an outdoor concern for many people, but it’s an issue that also exists indoors. The quality of the air inside your home has a real impact on the health of your family as well as comfort across the house. Grove Heating & Cooling explains how to assess indoor air quality and how you can improve it for better health and comfort.
We spend as much as 90 percent of our time indoors on average, which means we are exposed to whatever is in our air for a significant period of time. Exposure to certain pollutants can impact the health of you and your loved ones, causing asthma, allergies, respiratory issues, and sometimes even cancer. When you learn how to assess your home’s indoor air quality, you are able to improve the quality of the air your family breathes each day to protect the health of those you love.
Assessing indoor air quality in your home can involve the use of a few different tools and tests.
When you perform steps to assess indoor air quality, you learn about the specific air quality challenges that exist inside your home. This knowledge will help you take action toward improving air quality, as you’ll know what pollutants need to be targeted.
Improving indoor air quality can be done in a variety of ways. There are solutions that work with the home’s HVAC system to provide coverage throughout the house, including:
There are also many changes you can make to improve poor air quality.
Grove Heating & Cooling can help improve indoor air quality by providing solutions that work with a home’s HVAC equipment for whole home treatment of pollutants. Don’t live with poor indoor air quality any longer; contact us today to learn more about indoor air quality solutions.
Your water heater is an essential part of your home’s ecosystem. If you’ve noticed water pooling at the top of your water heater, there are a few ways to remedy this issue, and luckily, most of them involve only a wrench. If you don’t try to fix the leak right away, you could risk water damage. Even a small leak can cause extensive damage that can be very expensive to fix.
Grove Heating & Cooling is Bowie, Maryland’s most reliable water heater repair company. Whether it’s installing a new water heater or making sure the one you have is running efficiently, we’re available 24-hours a day for all of your water heater problems.
First, turn off the water heater. If you have a gas water heater, turn off the gas by turning the thermostat control to the OFF position. For an electric water heater, you’ll have to turn it off at the circuit breaker.
Next, clean up and dry any water you see on top of the water heater tank. Then, find the cold water inlet valve, and make sure the water is on. This is how water gets through the pipes in the walls and into the water heater. With the water on, it will be easier to see where the leak is coming from. Use a paper towel to spot seeping water, and check pipes and connections. Once you locate the leak, turn the cold water inlet valve off.
When a water heater leaks from the top, it doesn’t always mean that the top of the tank is the source of the leak. Be sure to check all pipes and connections that come from the water tank.
The cold-water intake valve allows cold water to flow into the water heater. This valve often sits directly above the water heater. If the valve is leaking, it could be the reason why you’re noticing water at the top of your heater. Use a screwdriver to tighten the nut that connects the handle to the valve. If tightening doesn’t stop the leak, then you’ll need to replace the valve.
If you find that the source of your water heater leak is at the water inlet or outlet fittings, get a wrench and attempt to tighten them. Tightening should remedy most loose fittings that cause leaks. If the leak persists, it could mean that the pipe fittings are corroded. Rusty pipes or a whitish powder substance on the pipes are common signs of corrosion. The connections of the inlet and outlet fittings could be the cause. These are called dielectric nipples; you can find them at most hardware stores, and they’re a relatively easy and inexpensive fix.
The temperature and pressure relief valve (T&P valve) is commonly located at the top of the hot water heater. It acts as a safety valve to release excess pressure or water in case of a temperature failure or overpressurization. Inspect to see if the top of your water heater is corroded. If it is, it may be time for a new tank. If there’s no corrosion, and the leak seems to be coming from the T&P valve, it’s best to buy a new one at a hardware store and replace it.
Even if you think your home repair skills solved your problem, it’s a good idea to keep an eye out for the potential for more leaks. If it leaks again, then it’s time to call Grove Heating & Cooling for a repair. If you notice any signs of corrosion around your water tank, then it’s probably time to call a professional to replace your water heater as soon as possible. Grove offers flexible financing options so you can keep the hot water flowing through your house affordably.
Have you turned on your air conditioner for the first time this year and found that your air conditioner is running, but no cool air is coming into your home? You may also have noticed that the air conditioning unit has visible ice and condensation build-up. If this is the case, then you’re experiencing a frozen air conditioner because your AC evaporator coil is freezing up. Call Maryland’s trusted AC repair company, Grove Heating & Cooling, to keep your home comfortable in the hottest summer months.
Your air conditioner’s evaporator coil vaporizes liquid refrigerant to make the air cool. These coils are supposed to be cool, but not freezing. In an optimally running air conditioner, the refrigerant vapor stays around 40 degrees. If the coils get cooler than that, they can freeze, and once they freeze, they continue to build up ice. That’s why it’s so important to turn your air conditioner off when this occurs.
The most common reason for frozen evaporator coils is insufficient airflow. This is commonly caused by a clogged or dirty air filter, backed-up drain clogs, low fan speed, or a dirty evaporator coil. Check to see how many registers are closed in your home. If more than a quarter of them are closed, it could cause your evaporator coil to freeze.
Sometimes low refrigerant levels and leaks are the cause of a frozen AC system. Your air conditioner could also be experiencing a malfunctioning defrost cycle. If your air conditioner cannot keep itself warm enough to prevent ice from accumulating, it means it can’t defrost properly.
If you have a window air conditioner unit, make sure it’s tilted so the indoor portion is slightly higher than the outdoor half to make sure it’s draining properly.
First, you’ll want to turn off your air conditioner. Inspect your air conditioner inside and out for any obvious signs of condensation or ice. If there is ice, wait until it’s melted before trying to start the air conditioner again. Never chip away at the ice.
Although there are some common solutions, you’ll most likely need to call an AC technician from Grove Heating & Cooling to find the cause and make the appropriate repair or replacement.
As a homeowner, there are a few things you can do yourself to help thaw the ice off your AC’s evaporator coil. A professional HVAC technician is the best bet for completely solving the problem, but these are some steps you can take to get the process started.
The best way to prevent your air conditioner’s evaporator coil from freezing up is to have your AC unit inspected regularly by the technicians at Grove Heating & Cooling. Our maintenance plans make regular maintenance a breeze. We inspect your heating and air conditioner before every season to ensure everything is in working order. Regular maintenance can protect you during the intense heat and can also enhance the lifetime of your HVAC system. Call Grove Heating & Cooling today to learn more.
Air conditioners are made up of various components. The conventional split system air conditioner found in many Maryland homes has both indoor and outdoor equipment, and summertime malfunctions can affect parts in either portion of the system. A common repair issue we fix during the summer is an outside AC condenser fan that stops working. In our most recent blog, Grove Heating & Cooling explains why this problem can occur and when you should contact an HVAC technician.
Both the indoor and outdoor components of your split air conditioning system have fans. Both are attached to a motor and are used to circulate air, but for different purposes. Inside, the blower fan circulates air through the system and into your living areas, sending cool air to keep you comfortable indoors. Outside, the fan in the condenser unit moves air across the condenser coil to keep components cool and helps them release heat into the surrounding air as part of the cooling process.
If you take a look at the outside AC unit, you’ll notice the fan sits near the top. If your outside AC fan stops working, it will be easy to notice by peaking into the condenser from above. When the fan blades stop spinning as the air conditioner runs, one of the causes below are typically at fault.
As mentioned, the fan is linked to a motor which allows it to rotate. Bearings inside the condenser fan motor can go bad due to wear and tear as well as lack of maintenance, or the entire motor may fail. Without the motor’s operation, your outside AC fan will stop working as a result.
If your condenser unit is newer, it probably doesn’t have a fan belt linking the fan and motor. Most new models use direct drive components instead of belt-driven parts. However, if your air conditioner is several years old, it may very well have a belt, and that belt could be why your AC condenser fan isn’t working. The belt can become loose over time and slip out of position on the pulleys – without a proper fit, the belt won’t allow the motor to turn the fan. This issue is usually repairable but it points to old age, which means it may be a smart decision to upgrade your unit now.
The run capacitor is a component in the air conditioner’s condenser unit that holds power to run the fan. Capacitors can fail and when they do, your AC system fan will stop spinning simply because it doesn’t receive power. In this case, the unit’s capacitor needs to be replaced to get the fan working properly again.
Two important components housed in the outdoor air conditioner cabinet are the compressor and the fan motor. Both of these components are controlled by the contactor. This electrical switch can fail over time, which prevents these components from receiving electrical power to operate. When the fan motor doesn’t run, your condenser fan won’t spin.
If your outdoor air conditioner fan isn’t spinning, don’t panic. Typically, issues causing the fan to stop are repairable by a professional, so call Grove Heating & Cooling to take care of this common malfunction right away. Request service today, and an HVAC professional will get your air conditioner back up and running in no time.
Energy efficiency is a hot topic in the HVAC world. Technology is always evolving, presenting new innovations that help manufacturers develop equipment and systems that make even more efficient use of the energy they consume. While many homeowners look to the latest air conditioner and furnace models for high efficiency, they often overlook a system type that can offer even more energy savings – geothermal. In our most recent blog, Grove Heating & Cooling explains how efficient geothermal energy is for heating and cooling Maryland homes.
Geothermal heating and cooling systems are a type of heat pump system that transfers heat from one area to another to increase indoor temperatures for heating and lower temperatures for cooling. Common air source heat pumps transfer heat between the indoor air and outdoor air, but geothermal systems transfer heat between the indoor air and the earth or a water source.
Geothermal systems take advantage of natural heat that occurs within the earth as an energy source used to heat the home. This energy is absorbed from the earth by the ground loop, which is a system component that is essentially a fluid-filled pipeline that is installed below ground. The fluid absorbs heat and circulates it to the heat pump above in the home for transfer. For cooling, the earth or a nearby body of water simply serves as a receptacle where excess heat from the home is released by circulating fluid in the ground loop.
Many homeowners are shocked when they first hear how efficient geothermal heat pump systems are. This is because their efficiency levels are much greater than conventional heating and cooling systems, as they require less power to run and provide a great deal of heat transfer for the energy they do use.
A geothermal heat pump’s heating efficiency is measured as coefficient of performance (COP) and its cooling efficiency is reflected by the Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER). These measures share the number of units of heat provided or removed compared to the number of units of electricity consumed to do the job. Ground source heat pumps typically provide 4 units of heat energy for every unit of electrical power they require.
So how efficient is geothermal energy? 400 percent efficient! Comparatively, the highest efficiency conventional systems available today are only 98 percent efficient. Geothermal heat pumps are more efficient than air conditioning systems and air source heat pumps, too. High-efficiency geothermal heat pumps have EERs up to 25, while the highest efficiency air conditioners only go up to 15!
These cooling systems transfer heat from the home to the outdoors, while a geothermal model transfers that heat into the earth. When outdoor temperatures are quite hot, it is difficult for an air conditioner or air source heat pump to release the heat into the air, thus efficiency drops. Geothermal systems don’t have this problem, as the temperature below ground stays consistent around 55 degrees all the time.
Cost savings are another important factor to consider with geothermal heat pump systems? Although installation costs are higher up front, replacing an air conditioner or air source heat pump with a geothermal system generates a 25 to 50 percent reduction in cooling costs, as less energy is required for the system to move heat.
Are you impressed by how efficient geothermal energy is? You can start saving on heating and cooling costs year-round with a new geothermal HVAC system from Grove Heating & Cooling. We offer expert installation for Maryland homeowners looking to make drastic energy-efficiency improvements in home heating and cooling. Contact us today to request a consultation today to receive an estimate for geothermal installation at your home.
Trane is one of the most recognizable and well-known brands in the HVAC industry. With a reputation for quality equipment, Trane chooses only the best heating and cooling contractors to serve as representatives of their brand. Grove Heating & Cooling is a proud Trane Comfort Specialist Dealer, and below we explain just what that means.
Many heating and cooling contractors across the country are independent Trane dealers, which means they are a company which carries and installs new Trane heating and cooling equipment. While there are many dealers who sell Trane HVAC systems, not every company qualifies as a Trane Comfort Specialist Dealer.
Trane Comfort Specialist is a special designation that Trane awards to their most qualified dealer specialists. These HVAC professionals reflect a strong commitment to delivering the best in not just installation and service of Trane products, but show a passion for achieving unmatched customer satisfaction and take pride in delivering the highest quality training to their teams. Trane dealers which have received the designation of Trane Comfort Specialist have met the brand’s high standards for their products as well as expectations for better business practices and customer care.
The Trane brand is serious when it comes to maintaining these qualifications as well. Each dealer who holds the status of Trane Comfort Specialist must continuously qualify to hold the designation each year. Through this process, the Trane Comfort Specialist Dealers who maintain top status repeatedly reaffirm their commitment to the values which the Trane brand prioritizes as well as the brand’s strict standards for customer satisfaction ratings and continuing education for their staff.
Heating and cooling systems are composed of technical components that evolve and improve all the time. As new technology is developed and refined, Trane’s commitment to innovation means these advancements are steadily integrated into their products. To ensure proper installation and service of these technologically advanced systems, a Trane Comfort Specialist must keep up with ongoing training.
Advancing our education, continuing to hone our technical skills, and pursuing a thorough understanding of the latest technology is one way we serve our customers like no one else can. A Trane Comfort Specialist knows every Trane product like the back of their hand. We know what it takes to install every component according to Trane specifications so it performs as expected in your home, and we take care to explain each important aspect of the system to you so you feel confident in its use.
When you choose to work with a Trane dealer, you can be confident you are working with only the best companies which have made a commitment to customer satisfaction and continuing education in the HVAC industry. Your home and home comfort are in safe, capable hands with the most skilled, knowledgeable professionals associated with this trusted brand.
Trane HVAC equipment is designed to achieve maximum efficiency and comfort. Grove Heating & Cooling is proud of our position as a Trane dealer, and it’s our responsibility to meet Trane’s stringent standards and deliver the best products and customer service experience to you. To experience the power of a Trane comfort system in your home, contact a professional you can trust – request a consultation when you contact us today.
Many households in Maryland use heat pumps to efficiently heat and cool their living areas. They are reliable HVAC systems but can experience problems from time to time. One issue our technicians commonly see is a heat pump that freezes over during cold weather in the winter, which will cause issues if not corrected. Learn how to defrost a heat pump and what to do if you run into problems with a frozen heat pump.
It’s normal for a bit of frost to develop on a heat pump’s outdoor unit coils during the colder months. The frost you see is simply condensation from the heating process freezing to the coil. Heat pumps have a built-in defrost cycle which normally activates periodically to remove frost and ice from the coils.
Issues with the heat pump’s defrost cycle, component malfunctions, or external sources such as a gutter leak above the unit can cause heavy ice accumulation on the coils as well as the fins on the exterior of the equipment. Larger masses of ice make it difficult for the defrost cycle to remove the frozen moisture, and the heat pump may not thaw.
If the heat pump remains covered in ice and you continue to run the heat, a few issues occur. First, you’ll likely notice that the heat pump cannot generate enough heat output to keep your home comfortable. Ice can block airflow through the fins and outdoor coil, which can cause damage to the coil, refrigerant leaks, and other malfunctions. Ice can also damage outdoor fan blades within the unit.
Sometimes, it may take a few hours for the heat pump to completely thaw a frozen coil, so don’t be alarmed if ice doesn’t melt right away. If the heat pump defrost cycle doesn’t work properly or isn’t able to melt away the frost or ice on the unit, you’ll need to know how to defrost a heat pump manually.
If the above steps fail to clear away the ice on your unit, do not use your heat pump while it is frozen. Your backup heating system should automatically turn on to keep your home warm, if you have one installed.
If your heat pump’s defrost mode doesn’t clear away ice, or the heat pump keeps icing up over and over again, there could be a component malfunction causing this problem, such as faulty temperature sensors, wiring issues, or low refrigerant levels. These issues need to be identified and repaired by a professional heat pump technician. You don’t want to have to continually repeat the steps for defrosting a heat pump.
Don’t hesitate to call a professional heating and air conditioning technician if you experience a frozen heat pump. Heating and cooling technicians are able to defrost heat pump units as well as find and repair the malfunction contributing to this problem. For heat pump repair in Maryland, call Grove Heating & Cooling today to schedule an appointment to fix the problem!
2142 Priest Bridge Ct. Suite 6, Crofton, MD 21114
