John A. Kinkaid Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.

Holiday Home Safety

holiday home safety

The holiday season is in full swing and it’s time to go over some last minute preparations. Here are 7 quick tips from John A. Kinkaid Heating & Air Conditioning for how to keep your family safe this holiday season.

1. Check those holiday lights

Check all your holiday lights for frayed cords, missing or broken bulbs, and cracked sockets, as these can all be fire hazards. When replacing bulbs, be sure to unplug the lights. Also, make sure that the bulb is the correct wattage and voltage.

2. Turn the lights off when you leave

This doesn’t just apply to lights. Turn off lights, blow out candles, and turn off or bank the fireplace. These can all be fire hazards even when you are around to keep an eye on them. If no one is there to monitor the situation, things can get out of control fast.

3. Keep combustible materials away from open flames

A lot of us like to light candles and fireplaces around this time of year, but it is vital to keep all potentially combustible materials away from open flames. If you want to put a candle on your windowsill, consider what type of curtains you have. Can you pull them back far enough that they are safely out of the way? Many houses have burned to the ground from a simple curtain catching fire.

If you have a fireplace, make sure you keep any extra firewood and kindling far enough back from the edge. Use a metal fireplace screen as an extra precaution.

4. Use one big extension cord instead of several small ones

Make sure you get an extension cord that is the correct length for your purposes. Chaining together several smaller extension cords can actually be a fire hazard. Just make sure it isn’t so long that someone might trip on it and fall into the fireplace.

6. Test your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors

With all these fire hazards around the house, putting new batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors is a good idea. Test to make sure they are up to date and working. The last thing you want is to have your holiday season ruined by a house fire.

7. Give your HVAC a tuneup

Be sure to get your HVAC system serviced in time for the holidays! Get those filters changed and everything up to date to ensure your family’s safety so you can enjoy a worry-free holiday season.

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!

6 Tips to Prepare for the Winter Cold

cold snow flakes

It may still be fall, but some of us are already donning our winter coats! It’s time to start preparing for the harsh, cold months ahead. Here are six simple tips to stay safe and warm this winter:

1. Replace furnace filters

Dirty furnace filters should be replaced on a monthly basis to ensure maximum furnace efficiency. This will also lower heating bills and extend the life of a furnace. When checking your furnace filter, you should hold it up to the light. If you can’t see through it, you should replace it.

2. Check furnace ducts for leaks

Leaky furnace ducts waste a lot of heat. Leaky ducts mean higher utility bills and a colder house. Sealing the leaks reduces the risk of dangerous gases like carbon monoxide. Some of your ducts are hidden in walls, ceilings, and floors. These obviously will be out of your reach, but sealing the ducts in the attic, crawl space, basement, and garage will go a long ways towards improving the performance of your system. Be sure to focus on the places where ducts, vents, and registers meets floors, walls, and ceilings. Mastic sealant or metal tape is more durable than duct tape for sealing the seams.

3. Insulate attics, basements, and crawl spaces

Attics, basements, and crawl spaces are parts of the house most often overlooked. Insulation keeps these parts of the house warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Attics, basements, and crawl spaces should be professionally insulated as these portions of the house are far trickier to insulate. It will not be cheap, but the savings are more than worth it.

4. Close the damper on the chimney to keep out the cold

The fireplace chimney is another part of the house that is so often overlooked when weatherproofing the house. Air escapes up the chimney when the fireplace damper is left open. After the fireplace has cooled, be sure to shut the flue. Leaving this open will leach heat in the winter and cool air in the summer. Either way, you will be losing money year round.

5. Install a programmable thermostat

A programmable thermostat can automatically lower the temperature in the house when you are away so you are not wasting money heating the house while you are not home. It can also raise the temperature again in time for you to come home to a nice warm house.

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

Be sure to get your HVAC system serviced in time for the winter cold! The last thing you want is your family being left in the cold when your heating system breaks down.

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!

Best Tips For Rainproofing Your Home

fall rain

This year has been a year for rain. It seems like the spring rains came and just never left! Here are some quick tips for rainproofing your home from the experts at John A Kinkaid Heating & Air Conditioning.

1. Clean and repair rain gutters

With all this rain, you need a way to funnel the water away from your home. That’s what rain gutters are for, but rain gutters get clogged over time with leaves and debris. It is important to periodically clean your gutters and repair cracks or holes. Damaged or clogged gutters can send rain water flowing down the side of your home. This can stain your walls, create mold and mildew, and wear away at your home’s foundation.

2. Check foundation for cracks

Checking the foundation of your home periodically for cracks is important. If water gets into the foundation of your home, it will create mold and mildew in addition to destabilizing the foundation. The water will wear away at the crack, widening them and creating new ones. If left, the foundation will start to erode.

3. Check for leaks

Leaks in your ceiling, walls, and roof can be just as dangerous as cracks in your foundation. Anywhere water enters your home is a potential place for mold and mildew to grow. The water will damage the structural integrity of your home and create unsafe living conditions. Your home will be more prone to developing leaks if the gutter system is not working properly.

4. Check the weather stripping around windows and doors

You don’t want any damp drafts getting in through cracks around your windows or doors. It is important to check the weather stripping around all windows and doors regularly and replace them when necessary.

5. Get your HVAC system serviced by your local HVAC experts

Be sure to get your HVAC system serviced. A high-functioning HVAC system will help filter out the damp, especially for those with allergies that may be set off by mold and mildew.

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!

4 Home Preparation Tips For Fall

While the heat of summer is still in full swing, the cool fall weather is not far off. The days are getting shorter and school is starting up again. Before you know it, winter will be here! It is always good to get a jumpstart on preparing your home for the colder months ahead. Here are some great tips for preparing your home for fall, brought to you by the experts at John A Kinkaid Heating & Air Conditioning.

1. Clean the Fireplace and Chimney

Most of us love a big roaring fire on those cold winter evenings, especially during the holidays with our family and friends. But cleaning out your fireplace and chimney before using it is a vital safety precaution. You never know what can get stuck up in the chimney and if there is a blockage somewhere, it can easily become a real fire hazard.

2. Check Your Weather Proofing

Heating your house during the winter can get expensive. One easy way to cut down on the cost is to check the weather proofing around your doors and windows. The last thing you want is for all that expensive heat to be seeping out through cracks around your doors and windows. So, check your weather stripping to ensure there are no drafts.

3. Home Safety Check

Replace the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. The risk of fire increases over the holidays due to increased usage of candles and fireplaces in many households. Keep your family safe by being proactive. Always be sure that you have an emergency evacuation plan in place in the event of an emergency. Be sure to account for small children, elderly, handicapped, and pets when drawing up your emergency plans.

4. Get Your HVAC System Serviced This Fall by Your Local HVAC Experts

Now is the perfect time to get your HVAC system serviced to ensure that it is ready for fall. Don’t wait until the last minute! The last thing you want is for your HVAC system to fail in an emergency and leave 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!

For more advice on heating your house, check out our blog Four Common Heating Myths Put to the Test.

5 Home Cooling Myths

cooling A/C unit

Looking for some cool energy-saving tips this summer? Here are four home cooling myths put to the test by the energy experts at John A. Kinkaid Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.

Myth 1: Fans Will Keep the Room Cool

False! Fans will not lower the temperature in the room at all. Fans can only circulate air. When set up properly, this air circulation has the effect of cooling the occupants in the room. However, the actual temperature of the room does not change at all.

Myth 2: If the room isn’t cooling fast enough, it’s time to crank up the A/C

False! Cranking the A/C only changes the thermostat (unless your A/C is equipped with a variable speed fan). This means that the temperature in the room will simply get too cold. However, it will not get cooler any faster.

Myth 3: A/C is the only way to stay cool

False! In the age of instant gratification, many of us have become dependent upon our trusty A/C units. We barely even consider any other options when it comes to cooling off on a hot day. But what did they do before A/C? You might be surprised at how many options there are. A combination of ventilation, dehumidification and fans can work wonders on all but the hottest of days.

Myth 4: When choosing an A/C unit, bigger is always better

False! It is vital to get the size of an air conditioner that matches the size of the space you are looking to cool. An A/C unit that is too large will cool the home too fast, creating fluctuation temperatures and forcing the unit to be turned on and off frequently so the temperature can even out. This creates undo wear and tear on the system as well as uncomfortable temperature fluctuations and hassle.

Myth 5: It is more efficient to leave the A/C unit on all day than to raise and lower the temperature

False! Just like in the winter, it is more efficient to reduce the output of your HVAC system while no one is home. In the summer, this means turning the thermostat up while you are away and programming it to only lower the temperature again in time for it to be comfortable when you return home.

Of course giving your HVAC system an annual tune-up with John A. Kinkaid Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc is another great way to ensure you stay cool and save money this summer! 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!

Firework Safety

firework

July 4th is just around the corner. Many families across the United States are gearing up for the festivities. Most of these festivities include fireworks in some form or another. Here are some quick firework safety tips from your friends at John A. Kinkaid Heating and Air Conditioning.

Firework Safety Best Practices

1. Know your local laws

Three states have completely banned all consumer fireworks. These are New Jersey, Delaware and Massachusetts.

2. Always supervise children

Never leave children unattended with lighters, matches, sparklers or fireworks.

3. Be careful where you point fireworks

Never point fireworks at yourself, other people, animals or buildings. This applies even when you are just trying to light the firework.

4. Beware of “duds”

If a firework has been lit but appears to be a “dud,” do not approach and attempt to relight it. Some fireworks may have a problem with the fuse that delays setting the firework off. Many of these fireworks will still go off; it just may take longer than expected. Approaching an apparent “dud” before it has gone off may result in serious injury.

5. Keep fireworks away from structures

Never set off fireworks near homes, garages, barns or other structures that may catch fire. Many fireworks produce sparks and a small amount of flammable debris. This is not usually enough to light grass on fire, but it may be enough to light a building on fire if it lands the wrong place. Remember, what goes up must come down. You don’t want a firework to land on the roof of your house and burn your home down.

6. Keep alcohol away from fireworks

Make sure that anyone who is handling fireworks or even standing too close to them is not drinking. Being intoxicated can cause impaired judgement. The last thing anyone wants is someone with impaired judgement handling flammable materials.

In addition, alcohol is a flammable substance. Fireworks produce sparks and flammable debris. The combination of the two could spell disaster if they were to combine and start a fire.

7. Keep fireworks away from the grill

Many grills have gas tanks that are extremely flammable. Sparks or flammable debris from fireworks could cause an explosion if a gas tank were to catch fire.

Need more safety tips from your HVAC experts? Contact us today!

Save Money on Air Conditioning This Summer

save money on air conditioning

Summer is here and we finally have a break from all that cold. But that doesn’t mean homeowners can let their guard down when it comes to their HVAC systems. Many homeowners crank up the air conditioning when the weather gets hot, but this can get expensive. Here are a few important tips for saving money on air conditioning this summer.

Ensure Your House is Properly Insulated

That’s right! Just because it’s summer doesn’t mean insulation isn’t important. In winter, we insulate to keep the heat in. In the summer, that same insulation is vital to keep the heat out.

It is just as important to check all of your doors and windows for gaps that allow drafts through. We spend a lot of money on cooling our homes in the summer, so you don’t want that money steadily draining out through a crack under your door or window.

Seal Off Unused Rooms

Air conditioning is expensive. Depending on your system, you may be able to avoid using the A/C in rooms that you don’t use (or rarely use). If you have an A/C system that can be used to cool individual rooms, close off the rooms that are not frequently used, just like when you are trying to conserve heat in the winter. If there are cracks under the doors, seal them off with rags or towels.

Put Your Air Conditioning on a Timer

There is no need to leave the air conditioner on full blast when you are at work all day. Turning the air conditioning off, or at least significantly lowering the settings, while no one is home will save you a lot of money. If you have a pet that needs air conditioning while you are away, consider confining them to one room to reduce the need for air conditioning throughout the house.

Make Sure Your HVAC is in Working Order

Your don’t want to be in the middle of a heat wave and suddenly lose air conditioning just because you didn’t get the HVAC system inspected properly. Contact John A. Kinkaid Heating and Air Conditioning today to set up an appointment. Make sure your HVAC system is in the best condition, and provide your family peace of mind this summer.

Spring Cleaning Goals That Should Be on Your List

get your house ready for spring

Spring is here and it is time for the ever necessary spring cleaning! But spring cleaning isn’t just about cleaning up the yard or sweeping the cobwebs out of the attic. It is important to assess how your home made it through the winter and any damages that may need to be fixed. Here is a list from your local HVAC professionals at John A. Kinkaid Heating and Air Conditioning of the top 5 spring cleaning goals that should be on your list.

Gutters and downspouts

Check gutters and downspouts for blockages. Debris such as leaves and twigs have a tendency to collect there over time and may have been hidden by snow if you checked the gutters during the winter. Healthy gutters and downspouts are especially important in the spring due to the runoff from melting snow in addition to the extra rainfall that is common this time of year. A clogged gutter system will overflow and send all that water running down the side of your house, which leads to a buildup of mold and wears away the integrity of your walls and foundation. This can create unsafe conditions that only grow worse over time.

Siding

If you have siding, it is important to check for water marks that may be a telltale sign of a leaking or clogged gutter system. Cleaning the siding with a pressure washer also helps prevent the growth of bacteria and mold. Wood siding that has been worn down should be sanded and primed before being repainted to make sure it is sealed properly.

Decks and porches

Rapid changes in temperature and humidity can cause wood to shrink and expand. This can lead to loose railings and uneven floor boards. Decks and railing that are exposed to the elements need to be treated every four to six years. Wood that looks gray and worn should be treated by a deck professional.

Foundation

Check for cracks in the foundation where water can get in. Over time, the foundation can shift and rapid changes in temperature can cause cracking. If water gets between the stones of your foundation, it will cause mold, mildew, and the damage will spread to the point that the whole foundation becomes unstable, potentially making the building unsafe. Significant cracks in the foundation need to be fixed immediately by a professional.

HVAC

Spring is a great time to service your HVAC system. Contact John A. Kinkaid Heating and Air Conditioning today to set up an appointment. Make sure your HVAC system is in top condition and provide your family peace of mind.

Severe Weather Preparedness

severe weatherWhile spring is almost here, winter is not necessarily ready to let go. It is important to remember that the danger of severe winter storms hasn’t passed yet. Here are some helpful tips from your friends at John A. Kinkaid Heating and Air Conditioning on being prepared for what winter — and early spring — storms might throw your way.

Make a plan

Talk to your family/household members about what to do in the event of a severe weather emergency. This is especially important for families with young children who many become frightened in a stressful emergency situation. Know if anyone in the household has any medical concerns that may become a problem during a severe weather emergency and ensure you have the necessary emergency supplies in the event of a worse case scenario.

Have backup power sources

If you or a loved one has a condition that requires medical equipment, be especially sure that you have sufficient alternative power sources, as emergency personnel may not be able to get to as quickly as usual. Also, have an alternative heat source on hand, such as a fireplace.

Get your vehicle winterized

You or a mechanic you trust should check over at least one family vehicle to ensure that you will not be stranded in an emergency. Check your battery, antifreeze, wipers, windshield washer fluid, ignition system, thermostat, lights, flashing hazard lights, exhaust system, heater, brakes, defroster, and oil. Also make sure the vehicle’s gas tank is full in the event of a storm warning.

Stock up on non-perishables

Ensure you have a stock of food items such as cans of soup and other easy-to-make food items that do not necessarily require strict temperature controls. If you have a pet, also ensure that you have a sufficient supply of pet food, litter, medications and whatever else your pet needs to weather the storm with you.

Keep your HVAC system serviced and in good repair

Always make sure that HVAC system is up and running smoothly so there are no nasty surprises in the middle of an extreme weather emergency. Contact John A. Kinkaid Heating and Air Conditioning today to get your system inspected and serviced for your family’s safety and peace of mind.

For more winter storm safety tips, check out a few of our other informational blogs including:

How to Stay Warm During Power Outages This Winter

6 Tips To Prepare Your Home for Winter

7 Ways to Save Money and Stay Warm This Winter

6 Tips to Prepare Your Home for Spring

spring prep

Winter is fading fast and spring is just around the corner! Here are 6 awesome tips from the experts at John A. Kinkaid Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc for preparing your home for spring.

1. Check the Gutters Before the Snow Melts

When the snow starts melting, all that water needs somewhere to go. That’s what your gutters are for. But, gutters tend to get clogged during the winter. Leaves, twigs, and other debris build up and create blockages. So when the snow melts, the gutters get backed up and start overflowing, and all of that runoff ends up running down the sides of your home. Water on the outside of your home can get into the walls and create mold, mildew, and structural damage. It can also erode your foundation and cause thousands of dollars of damage. So just clean those gutters and save yourself a lot of money and hassle.

2. Check Your Roof Shingles

If you have shingles on your roof, you need to check to make sure none came loose during those winter storms. With spring just around the corner, more storms are on their way. You don’t want to get caught with a leaking roof! Water gets in your attic and brings with it mold, mildew, and thousands of dollars of structural damage.

3. Check the Chimney

This should be done even if you didn’t use the chimney. Check for damage and have the flue cleaned by a certified chimney sweep. Fix any small problems before they become big problems.

4. Make sure firewood isn’t stored too close to buildings

If you use a wood-burning stove of any kind, it is convenient to have a stack of firewood as close to the house as possible. But, as the weather warms, it is important to get that wood away from any buildings because it can be a fire hazard. Firewood should be stored at least eighteen inches off the ground and two feet from the nearest structure.

5. Check Outside Faucets

If you did your homework in the fall, your outside faucets should have been turned off and drained, preserving them during the cold of winter and preventing freezing. However, it is still good to double check for damage and signs of freezing before turning them back on again. Turning them on prematurely without fixing any damage could result in burst pipes and a huge mess, in addition to a pile of bills to pay for water damage.

6. Service your HVAC Every Spring

Spring is always good time to get your HVAC serviced by John A. Kinkaid Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc, the most 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!