How to save money on your cooling bills this summer

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Keeping your house warmer during the day while you are working will save on energy bills. Make sure the thermostat is turned up high enough so the air conditioner does not run when you are not home. The Consumer Energy Center says for every 1 degree above 72 you can save between 1-2% on your electric bill. If you have a programmable thermostat you can tell it what time you return home, and the house will be more comfortable without the expense of running all day long.

You can save money on your cooling bills by keeping your thermostat set properly while you are sleeping and working. A programmable thermostat is a fantastic tool for automatically adjusting temperatures at different times of the day. Even without a programmable thermostat, adjusting temperatures manually can save you money throughout the summer. Hillside provides and installs programmable thermostats, some thermostats are accessible from anywhere you have Internet access!

Consider an air conditioner tune-up from Hillside to make sure your unit is running as efficiently as possible. Low refrigerant and dirty filters decrease the efficiency of your air conditioner. Optimal performance increases efficiency, which is what we are all looking for these days…savings on our energy bills. A tuned-up air conditioning system is more likely to avoid breakdown at the times when the unit is needed most. Regular maintenance increases the lifespan and can give you an idea of how much longer your system may have before considering replacement.

Mention this email and receive air conditioner tune-up for $89!

Tired of coming home to a hot house? Hillside has an app for that!

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The non-stop hot days of summer are coming. Walking into a sweltering hot house after a long day of work is nobody’s desire. Many homes today have programmable thermostats, but they are not always the best solution for a busy family that has alternating schedules.

Hillside can provide a fully programmable thermostat that is accessible from anywhere with a computer or smartphone. Made by Honeywell, this is the first full-color high-definition thermostat. Log in anytime, check or monitor the temperature inside and outside of your home, turn the air conditioner on or off completely, or simply adjust the temperature an hour before you get home. Any changes can be made in 30 seconds and as quickly as a few keyboard strokes or finger swipes.

The best part of this thermostat is that there are NO MONTHLY OR RECURRING FEES. This is a much better option over systems offered by phone, cable, or security companies. A one-time installation fee for the thermostat is the only expense.

Other than daily monitoring this thermostat is perfect for vacations, regular travelers for business or pleasure, and snowbirds. Know what is going on at home anytime. No longer a need to inconvenience a neighbor, friend, or family member to monitor your home for potential weather-related problems (overheating in the summer, frozen pipes in the winter, etc…).

 

For more information or to schedule & installation give Hillside a call! 302-738-4144

 

Give your air conditioner a “test run” before the heat of summer arrives

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Many of us put off turning on the air conditioner as long as possible. Air conditioning is not cheap to run, and this is the time of year that a few open windows is all the satisfaction we need. Hillside would suggest giving your unit a “test run”, if you have not already. If you are home this weekend, turn on your unit and let it run until the house cools down to the desired temperature. This could save you a headache and money in the near future.

HVAC Technician in DE, PA, MD
The hottest weather is still to come. Somewhere in the near future, you have just gotten off from work, it is one of those long days that was not over soon enough. The car is heated up from sitting in the sun all day. You roll the windows down, but that doesn’t quite cut it, time to turn on the car A/C. You arrive home and it is sweltering hot inside your home. The dogs look miserable and the cat is basking in the sun beating through the windows. You make a dash to the thermostat, this weather is just out of your comfort zone, time for air conditioning. Hopefully, everything goes smoothly, but there is a chance the air conditioner may not perform properly.

After sitting stagnant for the long winter the air conditioning unit could have dust build up both inside and outside. It is time to knock of the cobwebs and give the unit a test run. Slow refrigerant leaks could cause the unit to run but only blow warm air. Sitting unused for the winter may be long enough for that slow refrigerant leak to make a huge impact. Undercharged units reduce efficiency drastically. Consider an air conditioner tune-up from Hillside. A well-maintained air conditioning unit means more efficiency, a comfortable home for your family, and hopefully avoiding untimely breakdown inconveniences and expenses when your air conditioning is needed the most. If you run into a problem, Hillside also has a full-service department for repairs, replacements, and installations. Thanks for your time and please keep Hillside in mind if you, family, or friends are in need of any air conditioner service.

Don’t Weed Wack Your HVAC’s Electrical or Refrigerant Lines

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“Careful with that weed wacker Eugene!” Outdoor electrical and refrigerant lines can be fragile.

It is yard work day, and you are quickly running out of daylight. “I know I can finish this up so I can have all day Sunday to do what I want”, is running through your head as you reach for the weed wacker to finish trimming. The sun has set behind the trees, and clouds overhead make it darker than you expected. You are along the side of the house finishing lawn trimming and you hear BZZZZ, SNAP, POW!!! Unfortunately, you have just clipped a line running to your outside air conditioner unit. These things happen, even to the most careful and handy of us.

Be extra careful with lawn equipment around your outside units. It is a great idea to keep the area around those units trimmed, clean, and free from debris. When doing maintenance around those areas be extra mindful that there are refrigerant lines under pressure (Freon®), high and low voltage electrical wires running nearby.

If you do find yourself in the unlikely situation of broken lines, keep Hillside in mind for repairs. Instinct will tell you that some duct tape and wire nuts will fix the predicament, but you deserve better than that.

Can cutting my lawn can affect my air conditioner?

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Grass cutting season is here and it can affect the performance of your air conditioning unit. Grass clippings, dust, dirt, and pollen are in the air and in your yard. They can settle in, on, and around your outdoor air conditioning units. Try not to blow grass at your outside unit, but if that is unavoidable, spend a minute rinsing the outside units with a garden hose. Dirt and dust clippings can be easily and quickly rinsed out. Keeping the outdoor unit free of debris and settled dust can go a long way toward maintaining efficiency and avoiding untimely breakdowns.
Hillside HVAC offers an air conditioner tune-up that can ensure your unit is performing optimally. Optimal performance increases efficiency, can lead to energy bill savings, prolong the life of your unit, and avoid untimely breakdowns. Consider an air conditioner tune-up to potentially escape a much larger repair bill in the future.

 

Springtime options for A/C tune-ups and replacements

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Hillside HVAC Tune-Up

Hillside HVAC’s Air Conditioner Tune-Up $99

This is a unique time of year. The sudden change in seasons and a (potential) tax refund prompt many of us to think about home improvements. Focus at home turns to spring clean up and also a time when many consider replacing or tuning up their air conditioning equipment. Hillside offers an air conditioner tune-up which could prove to be a great early season investment. Avoid future troubles when the hot weather arrives for good and make sure your equipment is running at maximum efficiency. An efficient unit is the best method to keep utility bills as low as possible.

If replacement may be in your future, keep Hillside in mind for a free estimate, and make sure you obtain a couple estimates. Many of us obtain second opinions for everything, estimates for a major home improvement should not be any different.