John A. Kinkaid Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.

3 Temperature Tips For A Thriving Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving is a beautiful time of reunion, refreshment and fellowship. If it’s your turn to host the Thanksgiving dinner this year, it’s important to make your guests feel comfortable and content. Find the temperature sweet spot for complete comfort this Thanksgiving with 3 temperature tips from the HVAC pros at Kinkaid HVAC!

Cook The Turkey; Not Your Guests!

One of the most common temperature problems during the Thanksgiving celebration is an uncomfortably warm house. Ovens are cooking at high heat throughout the day, working overtime to get the turkey in tip top shape for dinner. But hours of high temperature cooking also affect the temperature of your whole house, easily increasing the temperature by several degrees in rooms adjoining the kitchen. The best way to deal with this dilemma is by lowering your thermostat a few degrees before the cooking begins, ensuring that your house is just the right temperature when the oven starts crankin’. 

Closed Door Policy

Some people experience the opposite problem. With all the guests coming and going in and out of the house, many struggle to keep the indoor temperature warm and cozy. Hustling and bustling nephews, nieces, children and grandchildren are notorious for leaving doors open, which can cause the indoor temperature to plummet in colder regions. Monitoring your doors and making sure they stay shut is a great way to keep the cold out and the warmth in.   

Think Smart, Get Cozy

In our age of smartphones and devices, temperature adjustments can be made with the simple swipe of a finger. Investing in a smart thermostat is a wonderful way to stay on top of shifting temperatures throughout the Thanksgiving festivities, easily adjusting in real time to reach a cozy equilibrium. Don’t make a trip every time you feel a dip; set up a smart thermostat and experience the crossroads of comfort and convenience!

Don’t Get Played – Choose Kinkaid!

Looking to throw a Thanksgiving celebration that’s memorable for all the right reasons? You may want to start with an HVAC checkup. The specialists at J.A. Kinkaid Heating & Air-Conditioning will make sure your system is up and running flawlessly so that your Thanksgiving will be all gobble and no squabble. Don’t be a turkey; go with Kinkaid today!

How Often Should I Get My Air Conditioner & Furnace Inspected?

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It’s a common mistake for homeowners to get their air conditioners and heaters inspected only when they detect a problem. Perhaps your air conditioner starts making weird noises or starts blowing warm air, and that’s when you decide to call your technician. This is understandable, since we barely notice these hard-working apparatuses when they’re running efficiently. But if you want to prevent future issues and more costly repairs, then you must get your air conditioner and furnace inspected and cleaned at least once a year — and perhaps right away!

Why Should I?

Some people might argue that it’s a waste of money to get your heater or air conditioner inspected when there’s nothing wrong with it. We strongly disagree! Inspections will improve energy efficiency, which saves money on your utility bills and guarantees a longer-lasting A/C unit and furnace. That doesn’t sound wasteful to us! If your A/C system isn’t inspected regularly, you could lose 5% of its operating efficiency each year due to dust and dirt buildup. Your house will gradually get less and less cooler as the years go on due to a declining A/C unit. Furthermore, a qualified HVAC technician can detect smaller problems by regularly inspecting your units. If these issues go unnoticed, they could turn into larger (and more expensive!) issues.

The same goes for your furnace. The majority of emergency no-heat calls in the winter are due to a lack of maintenance. Uninspected furnaces can also be a health hazard — there could be carbon monoxide leaks, which are colorless and odorless, and can result in dizziness, nausea, and even death.

What’s The Best Time Of Year For Inspections?

You’re going to want to get your air conditioning unit inspected in the spring, so you know it’s fully functioning for the hot summer months, and your furnace should be looked at early in the fall to ensure its efficiency for winter. Do yourself a huge favor and get your units inspected — before it’s too late!

Are you in need of a qualified HVAC company to inspect your air conditioner and furnace? John A. Kinkaid is on it! We offer the highest-quality air conditioning and heating maintenance and repairs at the most competitive prices. Our experts can handle any problem or emergency you might have. Call us today at 215-657-1262 to set up an appointment!

Willow Grove

215-646-5577

Ambler

1-866-HEAT-106

Email: John.Kinkaid.HVAC@gmail.com

6 Tips To Prepare Your Home for Winter

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It’s that time of year again! Summer’s come and gone and soon the cold will take its place. Love it or hate it, we all have to prepare for it! Dust off those sweaters and look over these six great tips for preparing your home for winter, brought to you by the experts at John A. Kinkaid Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.

1. Clean the gutters

Clear out your gutters and downspouts to prevent clogging from debris, and check for any small leaks. It’s best to fix small leaks before they become a bigger problem down the road—leaks in your gutter system can send water dripping down your walls, causing major structural damage.

2. Fertilize the lawn

Give your lawn some TLC around mid-October. Mow the grass, clean up those weeds, and then sprinkle on some fertilizer. This will give your grass a head start come spring so you can be sure to have the greenest lawn on the block.

3. Drain and store your equipment

Any lawn equipment should be drained and stored for the winter. Leaving unused gasoline in stored equipment, especially during the coldest parts of the year, can gum up the works and leave harmful deposits that will slowly break down your equipment.

4. Shut off and drain outdoor faucets and sprinklers

Depending on your latitude, water left standing in outdoor faucets and sprinkler systems might freeze. This can lead to cracked hoses and burst pipes. Better to just drain the water for the winter and avoid the hassle of a mid-winter plumbing emergency.

5. Double check your weatherproofing

Check all of your windows and doors and make sure they are sealed up tight to prevent drafts. Putting in storm windows also provides extra insulation to keep the heat in—and it could even lower heating costs.

6. Get your heater inspected

Fall is a wonderful time to tune up your heating system and get it ready for winter. Get it done with John A. Kinkaid Heating & Air Conditioning, the trusted name in HVAC services in the Delaware Valley! Contact us in the Willow Grove area at 215-657-1262 and in the Ambler area at 215-646-5577. Or contact us online to request an appointment today! We look forward to hearing from you.

Why Is My Air Conditioner Leaking?

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Even if you’re not the go-to handyman in your family, a puddle of water forming under your A/C unit may still be enough to cause you to wonder – is this normal? A leaking air conditioner is a common issue, but it’s not something that should be happening to a well-maintained unit, so fixing it is a must. Luckily, Kinkaid employees know A/C units inside and out, so we can help you troubleshoot.

John A. Kinkaid Heating & Air Conditioning is an air conditioning maintenance company in Willow Grove, and our goal is to deliver the most reliable and professional comfort to our customers. We have been in the HVAC business for generations, so our technicians have the skills to work on any make and model of HVAC equipment – at a great value, too!

As the most trusted HVAC company in Willow Grove, Kinkaid will help you understand your A/C unit and why it could be acting up. Here are a few of the causes of leaky air conditioners:

  • Clogged condensate drain line – Your A/C unit creates condensation as it cools warm air over the evaporator coil. That moisture should drip outside of your house through a drain line. But if it’s backed up with dust, dirt and grime, the water has nowhere to go!
  • Rusted or damaged drain pan – If your A/C unit is 12 to 15 years old, your drain pan might be rusted, letting the water fall right through it.
  • Low refrigerant – There are two ways you can tell if you’re low on refrigerant: your air conditioner isn’t cooling well, or you hear a loud hissing or bubbling noise, which means there’s a refrigerant leak. If the problem is bad enough, you may have to replace the whole A/C unit. So get it checked out immediately.
  • Broken condensate pump – If your unit is located in the basement, a condensate pump should be pumping any water outside of the home. Have an expert Willow Grove HVAC company check if the pump needs to be replaced.
  • Dirty air filter – The air filter should be changed every 1-3 months. If it’s clogged with dirt and dust, it can freeze up your evaporator coil leaving a wet mess when it melts.

Contact This Willow Grove A/C Installation Crew Today!

An A/C leak may seem like little to worry about at first, but don’t let the problem persist. Instead, call an expert Willow Grove HVAC company to replace your unit or fix the problem. Kinkaid offers many cost effective services for your A/C, furnace, water heater or air ducts. So call us today at 215-657-1262!

The Guide to Water Heater Problems

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Even in the height of summer, a warm shower suddenly blasting you with freezing cold water is probably the last thing you want to experience! Different types of water heaters have different maintenance issues throughout their lifespans, but there are some common problems that may occur no matter what type of tank you have. That’s where Kinkaid can help.

Kinkaid HVAC is a water heater installation company in Ambler that’s been serving the Delaware Valley with quality HVAC services for four generations. We service all types of water heaters and pride ourselves on delivering customers quick, reliable and affordable services.

To avoid water heater headaches, let’s familiarize ourselves with water heaters and their potential issues:

  • No Hot Water – No hot water could put the whole family in a bad mood! Here’s what the problem could be: If you have an electric water heater, an electric heating element may not be functioning properly. If you have a gas heater, check the pilot light. If it’s off, no gas is being delivered which means your water can’t be heated! Turn it on and the problem may be solved.
  • Not Enough Hot Water – Isn’t it the worst when you wake up before work, jump in the shower and have the hot water turn cold on you halfway through your shampoo routine? Usually this problem has to do with the water heater’s thermostat, which is attached to the valve. Check that it’s working by comparing the reading to the actual water temperature.
  • Black or Rust-Colored Water – Is brown water coming out of the sink as you start to brush your teeth? Don’t panic! Usually the dark water is due to a dissolved anode – a metal part of your water heater. Over time the anode can rust, so if you see rusty-colored water, it’s time for an anode change!

Contact The Top-Rated Ambler Water Heater Installers Today!

If your water heater is in need of a tune-up, call the water heating maintenance service Ambler residents trust most. We can handle any water heater emergency and our expertise encompasses all models and makes of water heaters.

Your water heater isn’t the problem? Kinkaid offers a variety of other services, including duct cleaning and heating maintenance. Contact us today at 215-646-5577 and get the fast, reliable service you want!

Do I Need to Get My Air Ducts Cleaned?

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According to the Environmental Protection Agency, air pollution is the fourth greatest environmental threat to humans. As your HVAC system blasts your home with hot and cool air throughout the year, it also pulls in and distributes many contaminants from outdoors. Not to mention the dust and dirt that builds up in your system over time! So how do you keep your air ducts functioning at their best? At Kinkaid, we have the answer.

Kinkaid is a heating and air conditioning installation company in Willow Grove that wants to help you live happier and healthier by keeping your HVAC system running smoothly. That’s why in this blog we’ll explain how cleaning your air ducts can help you get the most out of your HVAC system.

Here are 4 reasons from the experts at this Willow Grove HVAC company why you need to get your air ducts cleaned this Spring:

  1. Reduces Dust – The average home collects 40 pounds of dust per year. And if there’s dust on your windowsills, why wouldn’t there be dust in your vents? Air circulates in and out of your HVAC system about 5-7 times a day (some experts call air ducts the lungs of your home.) All that airflow encourages dust buildup and this keeps your HVAC system from functioning properly.
  2. Saves Energy and Money – Believe it or not, a mere .042 inches of built-up dirt can decrease your HVAC system’s efficiency by 21%. If there’s no dirt to slow it down, your system is more likely to run without a hitch and this will reduce the cost of your energy bills.
  3. Extends Life of Equipment – When an HVAC system fails, 9 out of 10 times it’s due to dirt buildup. But clearing your air ducts of this kind of debris will help prevent early breakdowns or other maintenance issues.
  4. Helps Clear the Air – According to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air can be up to 70 times more polluted than outdoor air. That being said, cleaning your air ducts can help remove bacteria, fungus, mold, pet dander, dust and more. This can even help alleviate allergy systems.

Contact These Willow Grove HVAC Experts Today!

Experts recommend getting your air ducts and HVAC system professionally cleaned every 3 to 5 years. If your air ducts are due for a cleaning, call the Willow Grove heating and cooling installation experts you can trust at Kinkaid. You can call us today at 215-657-1262 to schedule an appointment. We look forward to working with you!

5 Most Common A/C Problems

Screen Shot 2016-05-19 at 4.00.55 PMIf you’ve had an A/C unit in your house for a long time, you’ve likely run into a few problems over the years. Just like any other well-used machine, your A/C unit requires regular maintenance, and once and a while it might need a little TLC! So why not get familiar with the most common air conditioning issues, so you can be prepared?

Kinkaid is an air conditioning maintenance company in Ambler that has been servicing the Delaware Valley area with the best-quality HVAC services for four generations.

In this blog post, we’ll fill you in on the most common A/C maintenance issues homeowners face, so you can be one step ahead of any A/C setback.

Here are the top five most common A/C problems from your air conditioning maintenance crew in Ambler:

  1. Low refrigerant – Refrigerant, or Freon, is the chemical that cools the air in your A/C unit. Low refrigerant levels could indicate a leak or a problem with your refrigerant system. Make sure to locate the problem and get it repaired immediately.
  2. Faulty wiring – Uncertified or bad wiring can be extremely dangerous and a fire hazard. It can also prevent your air conditioner from getting power or affect your circuit breaker.
  3. Broken outdoor unit – If your outdoor unit isn’t running, this could be the cause of lack of power, faulty thermostat or contractor problems.
  4. Broken outdoor fan – The outdoor fan blows over the condenser coils to help release heat from you home. If the fan is not working, this heat transfer can’t happen and your A/C compressor could overheat.
  5. Frozen coil – This could indicate airflow problems, such as restrictions from dirty air filters (make sure to clean your air filters seasonally!). A frozen coil could also be the result of low refrigerant.

Contact The Most Reliable HVAC Company in Ambler

If your air conditioner is in need of a checkup, contact Kinkaid for an inspection. We are the HVAC company Ambler residents trust most because of our experience and courtesy towards our customers. We repair all types of air conditioning systems and offer services installing A/C in both commercial and residential units. And it doesn’t end at air conditioning; this Ambler HVAC team offers heating services and duct cleaning as well.

Call us today at 215-646-5577 to request an appointment and find out about our spring specials!

8 Steps To Keep Your A/C Unit Running Smoothly

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If saving energy and money sounds like something you are interested in (and who wouldn’t be?), then you’ve come to the right place! Keeping your A/C unit clean and healthy can make a big difference when it comes to cutting down your energy bill, and Kinkaid HVAC is here to show you the ropes.

Kinkaid HVAC is a Willow Grove air conditioning installation company that has been serving the Delaware Valley for nearly a century. Read on to find out exactly how to keep your A/C unit in tip-top shape.

Tips From the #1 Willow Grove HVAC Company

Here are a few simple steps from your go-to Willow Grove HVAC crew to ensure your AC unit doesn’t kick out when you need it most:

  1. Shut Off The Power – To avoid danger from the electricity powering your unit, before you do any checkups, turn it off. Look for an exterior shut off box near your outdoor unit and also turn it off at your breaker box.
  2. Clear Debris – On your outdoor compressor, use a screwdriver or wrench to open the top fan cage. Then use a vacuum or other device to clean out leaves, dirt and dust.
  3. Clean the Fins – Use a strong setting on a garden hose to spray through the fins surrounding your AC unit. This will loosen up any remaining debris. You can also use a fin cleaning spray (found at a home improvement store) to wipe down the outside. Avoid using a pressure washer so as not to damage the unit.
  4. Straighten the Fins – Using a butter knife or commercial fin-straightening tool, gently straighten the fins to open up areas where airflow might be restricted.
  5. Clean Around the Unit – After you’ve fastened the fan cage back on, remove leaves and branches from the surrounding area as well. The unit should have at least 2 feet of clear space in all directions.
  6. Check if It’s Leveled – Over time the soil beneath your unit can shift and cause your unit to tilt, and a tilted unit can cause the compressor inside to fail sooner.
  7. Clean the Evaporator Coil – On your indoor blower or furnace unit, dust off your evaporator coil and use a no-rinse coil spray to clean it.
  8. Clean the Blower Filter – You should replace the filter at least twice a year, and more if you live in a particularly dusty area.

Contact This Willow Grove AC Maintenance Crew Today!

If your system is in need of a checkup, call the most trusted air conditioning maintenance team in Willow Grove. We offer a variety of competitive service plans and even give a 10% discount to all active and non-active military personnel, so call today!

Before You Turn on Your Air Conditioning This Spring…

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Within just a few weeks, temperatures in the Ambler area went from single digits to a balmy 70 degrees! Although spring doesn’t officially start until the end of March, before you know it you’ll be switching on your air conditioning for the first time in months.

Before you get excited about the thought of warm weather and cranking your AC again, you should make sure your AC is up to par after its winter hibernation.

Kinkaid is an AC maintenance and installation company in Ambler that can help you prep your HVAC system for any season. In this blog we’ll show you what to look out for before you turn on your AC this spring.

The Ambler AC Installation Company You Can Count On

It’s always a good idea to check up on your HVAC system before the start of a new season, so you don’t run into problems when you need it most. Here are some simple steps from the Ambler air conditioning maintenance crew that will let you know if your AC is ready for spring;

Indoor Equipment

  • Check exposed ductwork – Make sure it doesn’t look as if the ductwork has gotten too much wear and tear; this could be a cause of cooling loss and inefficiency.
  • Look at air vents – Are your air vents blocked by things like furniture, toys or curtains? Clear space around them so the air can flow freely.
  • Change your air filter – A dirty and clogged filter will cause poor performance and could permanently damage your system. Change your air filter every three months to keep it clean.

Outdoor Equipment

  • Check electrical wiring – If your outdoor electrical wiring looks damaged or worn down, call a professional to fix it before you use your AC.
  • Take a look at refrigerant lines – These should be properly insulated to make sure your system is running efficiently. If they’re not, call in the experts to get it taken care of.
  • Inspect the condenser unit – Your outdoor condenser unit shouldn’t be block or covered by leaves, vines or debris. Clear it off and clean the area around it for best performance.

Call Ambler Resident’s Favorite HVAC Company Today!

If you think there’s a problem with your HVAC system, or you just want to squeeze in a routine checkup, call the experts at Kinkaid today. We are the Ambler AC installation team that’s been serving the Delaware Valley for four generations, so you can trust we’ll provide professional and reliable comfort at a great value. Call us today at 215-646-5577 and experience the best HVAC services in Ambler.

What To Do When Your Power Goes Out During A Storm

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When the temperatures outside drop to a bitter low (like they have the past couple weeks), there’s nothing we want to do more than crank up the heat and sink into the couch.

But if a storm rolls through and the power goes out, you’ll have no heat to crank! In this kind of situation, simple troubleshooting tips to fix a faulty furnace like those in our last blog post won’t solve the problem. That’s why Kinkaid is here to show you what to do.

Kinkaid is an HVAC company in Willow Grove that can help you get through any winter heating complication.

Tips From The Heating Installation Experts in Willow Grove

A power outage in the dead of winter can be dangerous, but don’t panic. All you need is a plan. Take a look at the list of safety tips from your go-to Willow Grove heating maintenance crew so power loss won’t catch you off guard:

  1. Prepare For The Storm: If the weather channel is calling for a storm, have an emergency kit ready at home. It should include water, dried and canned food, flashlights, first aid items and medication.
  2. Look Outside: Are the neighbor’s lights on? This could mean you have a blown fuse, so take a look at your electrical panel.
  3. Report It: Call your power company and let them know about the outage so they can get to work fixing it.
  4. Prevent More Problems: Unplug major electrical appliances that might have been on when the power went out, like televisions and stereos. This will prevent them from getting damaged by electrical surges when the power comes back on.
  5. Layer Up: Until the power comes back on, take steps to keep warm. Layer up, light a fire in the fireplace and gather everyone in the same room with the doors closed to keep in the heat.

Call This Willow Grove HVAC Company For Help

If you need heating maintenance in Willow Grove, call Kinkaid – the heating and air conditioning team that has been serving Montgomery, Bucks, Philadelphia, Delaware and Chester counties since 1917. You can call us at 215-657-1262 or email us at John.Kinkaid.HVAC@Gmail.com to find out what kind of service we can provide for you!