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Using Lawn Equipment Around Your HVAC Unit?

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

It’s “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 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. Keep the area trimmed, clean, and free of debris. When doing maintenance around the area, be extra mindful that there are refrigerant (Freon®) lines under pressure as well as high and low voltage electrical wires running nearby. If you do find yourself with broken lines, don’t try fixing them with duct tape and wire nuts!

Give Hillside a call for safe, professional repairs.

Why You Need an A/C Tune-up Every Year

Some customers ask us if they should get an A/C system tune-up every year, or just every couple of years.

That’s like asking whether you should brush your teeth every day or every other day.

Every equipment manufacturer requires regular maintenance to keep warranties valid. It’s that important.

Regular tune-ups prevent a wide range of problems that can lead to breakdowns and expensive repairs. Tune-ups keep your cooling system operating at peak efficiency, which helps you save on electric costs. It’s not expensive, and it will eliminate hassles this summer.

What’s the best time to get it done?

When we get to mid-June, the phones are ringing so much it’s hard to schedule a convenient time. Plus, if we find something wrong, you don’t want to be suffering through 90° temperatures while we try to give you a solution.

So please call early. Better yet, enroll in our Air Conditioning Maintenance Plan. This will guarantee you same day emergency service 7 days a week (including holidays) and repair discounts.

Please contact us today to schedule your A/C tune-up or to request enrollment in our Air Conditioning Maintenance Plan.

4 Mistakes People Make When Buying a Central Air Conditioner

We polled our service team to determine the biggest mistakes they have seen people make with their central A/C. Here is what they have witnessed over the years.

Overspending on efficiency. Sometimes it makes sense to spend extra for an ultra-high efficiency system. Sometimes it is not worth the cost. It depends on your total energy use and the trade-off between up-front cost and savings.

Choosing the wrong contractor. It’s not the equipment, but the quality of the installation that makes the biggest difference. You can invest in the best system in the world, but if your contractor installs it improperly, you will not get the comfort and savings you paid for. What’s more, it can be a nightmare trying to get them to stand behind what they sell.

Waiting too long to replace an A/C system. By delaying the inevitable, you risk lowering your options and compromising your comfort. During the hot weather, air conditioning companies, including us, get booked weeks in advance for installation jobs. It’s always best to replace your A/C system before summer if possible.

Not understanding all the options. Today, there are lots of ways to get the ideal system for your home. Hillside is large enough to give you lots of different options for your budget and physical space. If you have more choices and good guidance, you are much more likely to live “comfortably ever after.”

In this handy video guide, our Hillside Guy, Jim Sellers, reviews how to choose your new AC unit. From tonnage to SEER rating to warranties, there are many components for you to decide on when purchasing your new appliance.

Please contact us today if you would like a free estimate on new cooling equipment. We also welcome your call: 302-738-4144 (Delaware) or 410-398-2146. (Maryland).

Thirsty Air Conditioners Need a Refill!

Is warm air blowing from your vents when your air conditioner is on? Is frost or ice forming on your central air conditioner lines?
You might be low on refrigerant.

Sometimes a central air conditioner needs a charge of refrigerant, most commonly called FreonTM. If your unit requires a refrigerant refill, it does not mean that your central air conditioner is “using” refrigerant. Refrigerant is the primary product that a system uses to transfer heat from inside to outside your home. When refrigerant is low, it indicates that there is a leak
somewhere in your system. The outdoor portion of your A/C system is susceptible to wear and tear from outdoor elements and critters. These leaks are typically minuscule and not visible to the naked eye.

If your unit does not seem to be performing optimally, consider a Hillside air conditioner tune-up. During a tune-up, we check the level of refrigerant. If you find yourself recharging your system annually and are considering a full replacement, we can help with that too!

Watch our “We Get This a Lot!” quick summarized video of why your AC might be blowing hot air and what’s the deal withFreonTM?!

Hillside HVAC provides full-service air conditioning, heating, and oil delivery services. To learn more, please contact us at (302) 738-4144 or (410) 398-2146

Hillside has an A/C maintenance plan for only $59/year!

If you want the feeling of protection for your central air conditioning unit without the feeling of emptying your wallet, Hillside has an annual maintenance plan for $59 per year. This plan covers 15% off all service for a year, including 15% off an annual tune-up!

If more coverage interests you, Hillside also offers a maintenance plan for 50% off services, and this plan INCLUDES an annual tune-up. Click on the handsome dog to the right to view or download a copy of our maintenance plan brochure.

Customers currently with the 50% plan, if you are interested in converting to the 15% plan, give us a call!

Tune up your air conditioning system now.

www.HillsideHVAC.com/ACtuneup or call Hillside HVAC to make an appointment. In Delaware: 302-738-4144. In Maryland: 410-398-2146.

Seen Charlie the Dog on TV?

Charlie the Dog has some new summer commercials airing in Cecil County, let us know if you have seen them! If you haven’t, click HERE or below to check him out! We promise, they are the proper amount of cheesy for a local TV commercial 😉

Recent Testimonials from Hillside Customers

Hillside is always proud to boast when our employees receive reviews from customers. Our service department has been busy tuning up and repairing equipment. Here are a few recent testimonials from customers of Hillside’s maintenance, repairs, and installations.

“A pleasure to have service done without a “sales pitch” for extra things. Thanks!” -Linda W. from Newark 4/18/2016
“Service was very good. Tech was in and out and thorough. I like your service.” -Bill T. from Newark 4/21/2016
“You did great…Thanks! (Mike)” -Jeanne T. from New Castle 3/15/2016
“Quality service…Again!” -Charles C. from Newark 2/10/2016
“Very pleasant tech. Worked quickly, explained the problem + follow up.” -Ralph & Anna G.. from Hockessin 2/11/2016
“George & Randy were courteous and very pleasant. They did a great & timely job.” -Karen Mc. from Newark 1/28/2016

If your system is in need of repair, replacement, or maintenance, mention this email and receive $50 off the standard rate of a service call! We promise YOU will be the next Hillside customer writing a positive testimonial.

Give Hillside a call for prices and options: DE: 302-738-4144 or MD: 410-398-2146

Why do A/C’s need refrigerant refills?

If you notice warm air blowing or frost and ice on your central air conditioner lines, those may be symptoms of low refrigerant. Sometimes a central air conditioner needs a charge of refrigerant, most commonly called Freon. Even though units sometimes require a refrigerant refill, this does not mean that your central air conditioner “uses” refrigerant. The refrigerant is the primary product that a system uses to transfer heat from inside to outside your home. When the refrigerant is low that means there is a leak somewhere in your system. The outdoor portion of your A/C system is susceptible to wear and tear from outdoor elements and critters. Most times these leaks are minuscule and not visible to the naked eye.

If your unit does not seem to be performing optimally consider an air conditioner tune-up. Part of a tune-up from Hillside is checking the current level of refrigerant. If you find yourself recharging your system annually you may want to consider replacement, Hillside can help with that too!

Download Hillside’s Air Conditioner and Heat Pump Maintenance Plan

Spotlight on: 2 years for 1 – A/C Plan

The response has been fantastic, we thought it was a great offer and so did our customers. Reminder, you can get 2 seasons for the price of 1 on an A/C maintenance plan. the earlier in the season you take advantage of this offer, the longer your coverage will be in effect.

Considering a maintenance plan for your central air conditioning unit? Now is a great time, Hillside is offering 2 seasons for the price of 1. Sign up now for a central air conditioner maintenance plan and get coverage through the end of summer 2015, for the price of 1 year. $179 will get your coverage for 18 months, long enough to remain covered for the next 2 air conditioning seasons!

See all the details about our central air conditioner maintenance plan.

Hillside’s maintenance plan has several great features including 50% off all parts and labor INCLUDING refrigerant. Our maintenance plan has a “can’t lose” feeling, we offer a complete refund toward the price of a new installation by Hillside if you are unable to utilize the plan while covered.

Give Hillside HVAC a call today so you can be prepared this summer! DE: 302-738-4144. In MD: 410-398-2146

Considering an A/C maintenance plan? 2 years for the price of 1

Download Hillside’s Air Conditioner and Heat Pump Maintenance Plan


Considering a maintenance plan for your central air conditioning unit?

Now is a great time, Hillside is offering 2 seasons for the price of 1. Sign up now for a central air conditioner maintenance plan and get coverage through the end of summer 2015, for the price of 1 year. $179 will get your coverage for 18 months, long enough to remain covered for the next 2 air conditioning seasons!

All the details about our central air conditioner maintenance plan.

Hillside’s maintenance plan has several great features including 50% off all parts and labor INCLUDING refrigerant. Our maintenance plan has a “can’t lose” feeling, we offer a complete refund toward the price of a new installation by Hillside if you are unable to utilize the plan while covered.

For more information, or to sign up for a maintenance plan give us a call, 302-738-4144 or 410-398-2146