John A. Kinkaid Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.

Air Conditioner Allergies and More: Debunking Myths

air conditioner allergies

Increasingly, people seem to think that air conditioners worsen allergies. Some even believe they have air conditioner allergies! The story goes, pollutants and allergens get caught in the air ducts, and then the central air conditioning system spreads these around your home. But the best lies contain some truth. Instead, Kinkaid is here to clear the air and give you the facts. Central air conditioning can actually help your allergies! Below you’ll find some myths about air conditioners, allergies, and the facts that challenge them.

“Air Conditioners Spread Pollen and Bacteria”

First, this belief comes from the fact that air conditioning units circulate the air already in your home. If pollen and bacteria get into the ducts, your allergies worsen because the A/C continues to circulate these things throughout your house.

Now, although these are true, A/C units themselves do not spread pollen and bacteria. This can only happen if you do not clean your filters or purifiers, or if you do not regularly maintain your unit. If you notice your allergies kick in every time you turn on the air, it’s not the unit causing this problem. Instead, you should consider getting your unit thoroughly cleaned.

“Window Units Are Safer than Central Units”

Second, some people believe this because window units are smaller than central units. If air conditioners bring in and spread allergies, they reason, then window units cannot do that as rigorously or extensively as central units.

Yet, few people properly install their window units. They often leave cracks and spaces between the window frame and the unit, allowing outside air to flow in with all of its allergens and pollutants. Instead, a clean central system works better to keep these materials out.

“Air Conditioners Trap Pollutants in Your Home”

Third, people believe this claim because central air conditioners are closed systems. Air conditioners restrict airflow from the outside. They have to do this so they can properly cool your home. Therefore, some people think that they perpetually trap pollutants in your home. So, the only way to get rid of these pollutants is to open your windows.

However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Opening your windows actually brings in more allergens and pollutants! Furthermore, A/C helps regulate the humidity in your home. High humidity can actually trap pollutants. So do not open your windows! Instead, make sure your unit is thoroughly cleaned, keep it on, and use a dehumidifier. This should ensure clean, dry, easy-breathing air throughout your home.

No Air Conditioner Allergies with Kinkaid

Finally, as you can see, air conditioner allergies don’t exist! Central air conditioning actually helps your allergies. One study found that a car air conditioner “can cut the amount of pollen you breathe by as much as 30%.” If that’s the case for your car, imagine how much more for your home!

WebMD encourages you to clean your system once a year. So, if you want to keep the air in your home pollutant-free, you need the services of Kinkaid. Whether it’s cleaning out your filters or installing a new unit, we do it all! Contact us today.

A Brief History of Air Conditioning

history of air conditioning

In this day and age, we interact with so many inventions that have transformed our daily lives without even thinking about it. Few of us stop to consider “Who came up with this idea? How did they create it? What did this look like long ago?” Such is the history of air conditioning. Life radically changed once it became popular. You could argue its importance rivals even that of the automobile! If you want to explore a brief history of air conditioning, keep reading.

In the Beginning

First, the earliest forms of air conditioning can be seen in ancient Egypt and during the Han Dynasty in ancient China. However, modern air conditioning wasn’t invented until 1902 by Willis Carrier. He developed the idea in order to help control the humidity in the printing plant where he worked. Eventually, he created a machine that sent air through water-cooled coils. After some experimentation, he reduced the size of his machine and publicly debuted it in 1925 at the Rivoli Theater in Times Square. Initially, only theaters had air conditioners. So, on hot summer days, people would cram into theaters to cool off and enjoy the latest entertainment, beginning the phenomenon of the “summer blockbuster.”

Modern Popularity

Nowadays, nearly every modern home comes equipped with some form of air conditioning. But it wasn’t always this way. The first window-style A/C unit wasn’t invented until 1931, and cost the equivalent of anywhere between $120,000 and $600,000 in today’s currency. The first home with some semblance of centralized air conditioning was that of David St. Pierre DuBose, in 1933. It wasn’t until after World War II, when mass production on low-cost A/C units began, that air conditioning became widely available to the public. This likely coincides with the suburbanization developing throughout the country, and the growing of the middle-class at this time.

The Future

Third, what the future holds for the HVAC industry is anyone’s guess. However, just as it began as a luxury item that eventually became popular, so this seems to be where the immediate future is headed. Thermostats connected to wifi and controlled remotely through your phone were once only affordable to the wealthy. But now, this feature grows amongst people of all economic backgrounds.

Furthermore, as society becomes more and more environmentally-conscious, inventing units that use less energy is also becoming more popular. Some say, for example, magnetic air conditioners will pave the way in the future.

Contact Kinkaid for All Your HVAC Needs!

If you’d like more information on the history of air conditioning, or need your unit installed, repaired, or replaced, contact us at Kinkaid! We’ve been in business since 1917, almost as long as air conditioning itself! Let us be your go-to business for everything HVAC.

What Are Magnetic Air Conditioners?

magnetic air conditioners

In a recent post, we mentioned how magnetic air conditioners may be the wave of the future. As our world becomes more and more environmentally-friendly, these A/C units seek to help with this. But what are they? How do they differ from traditional air conditioners? How do they help the environment? Find out all of this and more as we examine magnetic air conditioners.

How Do Magnetic Air Conditioners Work?

First, we explained how traditional air conditioners work in a previous blog post. What about magnetic air conditioners? Well, they utilize a phenomenon called the “magnetocaloric effect.” Materials in magnets heat up when they enter a magnetic field, and cool down when removed from it. So, these air conditioners will cool the air by exposing its magnets to a magnetic field repeatedly and quickly to produce a greater amount of magnetocaloric effect. Then, the cool air produced will blow into the room.

Magnetic Air Conditioners vs. Traditional Air Conditioners

Second, consider these basic differences between magnetic air conditioners and traditional ones.

  • Magnetic A/Cs use water to cool an environment, as opposed to relying on refrigerants like HFCs or CFCs (now illegal).
  • Magnetic ones do not need compressors or condensers like traditional ones.
  • Magnetic A/Cs could shortly become less expensive and more efficient than traditional A/Cs.

Cost, Efficiency, and More

Third, as mentioned above, magnetic air conditions could very soon become less expensive and more efficient than traditional air conditioners. Especially since they’ll use less electricity. In fact, magnetic refrigeration was used to reach a temperature even lower than 0.3K (which is -459º F)! Now that’s cold!

However, we’re probably a couple years away from air conditioners like these being available for public use. Furthermore, when they will be introduced, they’ll likely be much more expensive than traditional air conditioners for a few years. Nevertheless, since they do not need refrigerants to make things cool, they’re much better for the environment. Thus, it’s entirely possible they’ll be available sooner than you might think!

Be Cool with Kinkaid!

Although magnetic air conditioners aren’t yet available to the public, you can still keep cool with Kinkaid! Contact us for all of your HVAC needs – whether you want a new unit installed, or need cleanings or repairs. We’d love to have your business!

How Do Air Conditioners Work?

how do air conditioners work

You walk into a hot, muggy, languorous room. It’s so stuffy, you can’t even bear it! But then you pop on the A/C and within a few minutes, the room is as cool as ice. If anyone living centuries ago experienced this, they might chalk it up to magic. So, how does this even happen? How do air conditioners work? Here, you can discover the answer to this question, and more, as we breakdown how do air conditioners work!

What Air Conditioners Do

First, in order for air conditioners to work at all, they have to do four things:

  • Control temperature
  • Manage humidity
  • Control air circulation and ventilation
  • Cleanse the air

Therefore, in order to do these things, air conditioners work in a closed system. In other words, they have to be closed off from the outside. Thus, air conditioners are designed to restrict airflow from the outside so that they can control the temperature, humidity, and circulation in the building. This is what makes air conditioning possible.

What They’re Made Of

Second, let’s take a look at the key components of an air conditioner to understand how it works. For instance, a basic A/C unit consists of three parts:

  • Compressor
  • Condenser
  • Evaporator

Now we can look at how these parts work together to cool air.

How They Do It

Third, if you want to know how do air conditioners work, you have to understand that it’s basically the cycle of taking a chemical called a refrigerant and turning it into a liquid, then a gas, then a liquid again. So, here’s a simply step-by-step breakdown of how this works:

  • Initially, the refrigerant reaches the compressor as a low-pressure gas. The compressor squeezes so it becomes a high-pressure, hot gas.
  • Next, this gas moves to the condenser. A fan pushes the hot air outside and the condenser cools everything down to turn the refrigerant back into a liquid.
  • Then, as the refrigerant makes its way into the evaporator, it becomes a gas again, produces cool air, and this gets pushed into your home or office.
  • Finally, this process makes the refrigerant turn back into a low-pressure gas. It returns to the compressor, and the process starts all over again.

If you’d like a more-detailed visual of this process, click here.

Stay Cool with Kinkaid!

Last, if you’d like more information on how do air conditioners work, or need one installed in your home or office, contact us at Kinkaid! We’ve offered superb service to customers for over a century. So give us a call today!

Benefits of a Routinely Clean A/C Filter

clean a/c filter

Getting your car oil changed, cleaning the microwave, clearing out your inbox, and having a clean A/C filter. These are all routine activities we feel like we can get away with not doing for a while. Who hasn’t gone a few extra thousand miles before getting their oil changed? Or let their inbox fill up with emails from 6 months ago? Seems innocent enough. But letting your A/C filter get dirty comes with certain risks. Below you’ll find just a few reasons why you should regularly clean your A/C filter.

Block Allergens

First, allergens slammed the Philadelphia-area this past Spring. Additionally, it seemed to run much later into the year than usual. Thus, if you’re allergic to pollen, you cannot afford to let your A/C filter get dirty. A clogged filter becomes more susceptible to tearing, thereby letting in all sorts of allergens. But with a habitually clean A/C filter, you don’t have to worry. While the allergens outside may challenge even the strongest allergy medicine you can take, you can trust you’ll breathe easy inside with a clean filter.

Keep Out Dust and Dirt

Second, not only does a clean A/C filter keep out pollen and other allergens, it also keeps out pollutants. Dust and dirt can not only irritate allergies, but also make your house dirty. With Summer comes humidity, causing dust and dirt to stick to everything it lands on. This can cause mold and mildew. Then, this can lead to spending more time and money on cleaning your house. Furthermore, as the dirt and dust gets sucked back into the return air vent, it will go through your AC unit, coating it and causing it to slow down and not work efficiently.

Clean A/C Filter = Better A/C

Third, a clean A/C filter is like having clean lungs. If your lungs stay clean and strong, they don’t have to work as hard. So, if you keep your A/C filter clean, your unit won’t have to work as hard to maintain the temperature you desire. Having a more efficient unit can lead to lower electrical bills. In addition, it helps keep every part of your unit clean and running smoothly. Thus, you don’t run the risk of needing an expensive repair or replacement in the future.

Clean A/C Filter with Kinkaid!

So, always keep that A/C filter clean! A clean A/C filter blocks allergens, helps keep your home clean, saves you money, and keeps your unit running smoothly. But if you need help cleaning your unit, or need a repair, reach out to us at Kinkaid! With over a century of experience in the HVAC industry, we’re a team you can trust.

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

air conditioning inspection

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

Spring Storm Tips For Your Home

rain storm

Spring is here, and all that snow has turned to rain! It’s time to prepare your home for the spring storm season. Make sure it’s ready to handle even the fiercest storm. Here are 6 tips from the experts at John A. Kinkaid Heating & Air Conditioning:

1. Clean out those gutters

As always, it is important to keep gutters clean and free of debris. It is especially important during heavy rain, when water will be gushing through your gutter system. Keeping all gutters, drains, and downspouts clear of debris keeps the rain flowing away from your roof, walls, and foundation.

2. Maintain your sump pump

With all this rain, there is the potential for flooding. A sump pump helps drain excess water from your basement to prevent flooding in your home. Make sure the pump is clean, operable, and the outflow is draining properly. A battery back-up for the pump keeps it running during a power outage.

3. Trim your trees

Trimming your trees every spring prevents overgrown limbs from breaking off in a particularly nasty storm and falling on your home or power lines. Pruning your trees prevents unnecessary home damage and power outages.

4. Invest in an automatic standby generator

An automatic standby generator keeps vital electrical systems in your house working during an emergency. This includes the sump pump, HVAC system, and any emergency medical equipment required by members of your household.

5. Secure outdoor furniture

Outdoor furniture such as patio sets and pool-side chairs are great accessories, but they can quickly become dangerous projectiles during a violent storm. Securing your outdoor furniture, lawn decorations, and any other objects that are not sufficiently anchored inside a garage or shed is important for the safety of your family and your home.

6. Get your HVAC system inspected by your local HVAC experts

Be sure to get your HVAC system inspected this spring. Make sure everything is working properly and efficiently so that your system can make it through the storm unscathed. Plus, you’ll want to make sure your A/C is ready for the summer heat!

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!

The Home Heating Mistake That is Costing You Money

number one home heating mistake

Most of us are looking to save money where we can on bills. You would be amazed how many simple mistakes you might be making that drive up the cost of heating your home. However, there is one mistake in particular that so many people fall victim to. Here is the number 1 most costly home heating mistake you should avoid, explained by the experts at Kinkaid.

The Number 1 Mistake: Cranking the temperature way up when you get home

It is becoming fairly common knowledge that turning the temperature down when you leave the house can save you money. However, it also seems to be a common instinct to crank the temperature up by many degrees as soon as you get home. This is probably the biggest mistake people make when trying to save money on their home heating bills. Some people think that cranking the temperature up to 90 degrees will heat the house faster than setting it at a more reasonable 75 degrees, so it seems more efficient. However, it isn’t!

The speed of heating your home does not increase exponentially according to the temperature you set. No matter what temperature you set the thermostat at, the speed at which your home reaches that temperature stays the same. The only difference is that if you crank it up high, that house becomes over heated, expending all that extra energy as you heat your entire house an extra 15 degrees past what you actually want. Then you crank the thermostat back down and suddenly you’ve bled all that energy out of the system for nothing.

Heat is money. Throwing out an extra 15 degrees every day is the same as throwing that money out the window. It’s even worse if you try to save money by turning down the heat over night, then cranking it back up when you get up in the morning. Now you’re wasting those 15 degrees worth of heat in the morning and another 15 degrees when you come home from work in the evening. The same principle applies to air conditioning in the summer. Energy is money.

It IS reasonable to turn the heat up and down by a few degrees depending on whether anyone is home. A temperature range that is comfortable for many people is between 65 and 72 degrees.

Cranking up your heat too much creates unnecessary wear and tear on your HVAC system

Extreme, unnecessary fluctuation of temperatures puts more wear and tear on your HVAC system. It is important to get your system a routine checkup every year to prevent any emergencies, so you don’t come home and find yourself with no heat at all. Your technician might identify issues that wouldn’t become apparent to you until it’s too late.

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!

Home Heating Myths That Cost You Money

home heating myths

Most of us are looking to save a little money this winter. There are a lot of myths out there about how to save money on your home heating bills. Some of them are true, but some of them will actually cost you more money than they save. Here are 3 of the most costly home heating myths you should never test yourself, explained by the experts at Kinkaid.

Home Heating Myth 1: Use a fireplace to help heat your home

Yes, it is technically possible to heat part of your house with a wood burning fireplace. However, that beautiful fireplace you sit around with your family every winter won’t work as your main source of heat. It’s decorative, so it’s not actually designed to do anything practical. Even if you do have a practical wood burning stove, it would take an atrocious amount of wood to heat even one room of your house to a comfortable temperature for any reasonable length of time.

Wood burning stoves take constant care and maintenance above and beyond any other heating system. Open flames also require oxygen to burn. So, you’re taking what little warm air your home already has, burning it up, and shooting it out the chimney. There is also the added safety risk of the open flame. Dealing with any type of fireplace or wood stove is always riskier than any other heating method.

You really end up paying money to “save money.” Better to just pay a few extra dollars for a safer and more modern heating system.

Home Heating Myth 2: Changing the temperature constantly costs more money

This one might seem to make sense on the surface. The argument is that you shouldn’t turn the temperature down at night or when you are out of the house because it will take more energy to bring that temperature back up once you get home. For most home heating systems, this isn’t true. Turning the temperature down overnight and while you’re out of the house gives the system a break and makes it work less hard for long periods of time. This not only saves you money in the short term, it also reduces wear and tear on the system, potentially saving you money in the long term as well.

Home Heating Myth 3: If your HVAC is running fine, it probably doesn’t need a tuneup

The last thing you want is your HVAC system breaking down in the middle of the winter, leaving your family stranded in the cold. It is important to get your system a routine checkup every year to prevent any unnecessary emergencies. Your technician might identify issues that wouldn’t become apparent to you until it’s too late.

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!

Outdoor Holiday Decorating Safety

holiday outdoor safety

The holiday season is here. But there is still time for a few do’s and don’ts on outdoor safety from John A. Kinkaid Heating & Air Conditioning for your family and home this holiday season.

1. Hanging Outdoor Lights

DO: Keep electrical cords off the ground.

DON’T: Attach electrical cords or lights to metal rain gutters.

DO: Use insulated tape or plastic clips to fasten lights or electrical cords outdoors.

DON’T: Use metal nails or tacks to hold lights and electrical cords in place.

2. Using Ladders

DO: Choose the correct ladder for the job.

DON’T: Settle for a ladder that is too short and try to rig it to make it work anyway.

DO: Check for certification marks to ensure your ladder meets the applicable safety standards.

3. Clean Your Gutters

DO: Clear your rain gutters of any debris before hanging outdoor lights, electrical cords, or other decorations on the outside of your house. Overflowing gutters could cause water to run down over outdoor lights and electrical cords and become a fire hazard.

DON’T: Let debris build up after decorations have been put up. Even if you clean out your gutters before decorating the outside of your home, you still need to check your gutters regularly to ensure debris is not building up again. This is especially important after storms or windy weather.

4. Clear Your Roof of Snow and Debris

DO: Clear your roof of snow and debris before hanging outdoor decorations on your house.

DON’T: Leave debris on your roof. Cleaning out your gutters does no good if you leave debris on your roof. The debris from your roof will just wash down into your gutters, undoing all your hard work.

5. Give your HVAC a tuneup

Be sure to get your HVAC system serviced in time for the holidays! If you’ve gone to all the work of decorating your home inside and out, you don’t want it ruined by a faulty HVAC system, leaving your family out in the cold.

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!