John A. Kinkaid Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.

Prepare Your HVAC System for Fall

Kinkaid is the most trusted in HVAC Montgomery County, PA has to offer.

Your A/C unit worked hard all summer long to keep you cool, but now fall is upon us. In this blog post, the most trusted experts in HVAC Montgomery County, PA has to offer share tips on how to prepare your HVAC system for fall.

Change Air Filters

One of the most important things you can do is also one of the easiest. Air filters need to be replaced frequently or cleaned if they are reusable. Dust, pollen and other contaminants can build up and clog filters. This impedes airflow. Dirty filters also decrease indoor air quality and make your unit work harder than it needs to. Changing/cleaning filters before switching to heating ensures maximum efficiency, reducing strain on your unit.

Not sure whether it’s time to clean or replace an air filter? Hold it up to the light – the light should pass through easily. If your filter is blocking out light, it’s likely also blocking airflow. How often you need to replace/clean filters can vary depending on your household, where you live and how many pets you have. Doing so at least once every 90 days is generally a good rule of thumb.

Clean Air Vents and Registers

Air vents and registers can become clogged with debris like dust build-up and nesting materials from insects or rodents. Like dirty air filters, this can impede airflow and decrease indoor air quality. It’s a good idea to check these and wipe them down to clean off any contaminants that might end up circulating throughout your home.

Check Your Outdoor Unit

The fall may be adored for the way trees change color and shed leaves, but this presents potential problems for your outdoor unit. Debris from foliage can clog your system, which greatly impedes efficiency. In the fall especially, it’s important to clear away dead leaves, twigs or branches and cut back surrounding shrubbery to allow enough space around the unit for proper airflow. You can also rinse your unit off with a garden hose, just be sure it’s fully turned off at the source.

Schedule a Tune-Up

It’s a good idea to schedule a system tune-up in the fall, before you really start depending on your unit to heat your home. A professional HVAC technician can clean your system, inspect it for potential problems and replace worn parts before they cause problems.

Kinkaid proudly serves Montgomery, Bucks, Philadelphia and Chester Counties. We offer residential and commercial installation, maintenance and repair on all makes and models of HVAC equipment. Contact us today to get started!

HVAC in a Time of COVID-19

The global pandemic caused by COVID-19 has changed the way most of us go about our daily lives. Home and business owners are left with questions like: Can COVID spread through HVAC systems?

Though it is difficult to measure, there is no definitive evidence that COVID-19 has been transmitted through an HVAC system. That said, there are several measures that can help curb the spread of the virus. Let’s take a look:

Humidity and COVID-19

Some research suggests that adding moisture to the air can damage the outer membrane of the virus. In fact, the lower levels of humidity most indoor spaces experience in the winter months create just the kind of environment that COVID-19 thrives in. The virus may also remain viable for longer periods of time in spaces with low humidity. This is an important factor to keep in mind, even in the summer, as increased humidity makes “droplets” less likely to linger in the air. An additional benefit to adjusting humidity levels is that it helps moisturize our mucous membranes, which can aid in the body’s ability to fight the virus.

The caveat of increased humidity is that too much moisture in the air can damage furnishings and finishes. It can also cause adverse health effects in some individuals. Consult with an HVAC professional to determine and set up optimal levels of humidity in your space.

Clean and Sanitize HVAC Equipment

Though it is unlikely that COVID-19 particles remain viable in an HVAC system for much time during lockdown, having equipment cleaned and sanitized has multiple benefits. It is a wise precaution if there have been confirmed cases of the virus in a space. In any event, cleaning your system lets it use less power, operate more efficiently and it keeps your equipment in good condition.

Ventilation

Increasing ventilation in a space by adding more outside air can help dilute any particles present. For more information on HVAC operations concerning the virus, check out this guide to building operations during the pandemic from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers.

Call a Professional

Kinkaid proudly serves Montgomery, Bucks, Philadelphia and Chester Counties. We offer residential and commercial installation, and maintenance and repair on all makes and models of HVAC equipment. We also offer a variety of service plans and financing options. Contact us today to get started!

5 A/C Maintenance Tips to Help You Keep Your Cool

An efficient A/C unit can be a lifesaver in the summer months, but the maintenance required to keep a unit running smoothly is easily neglected. In this post, we’ll look at AC maintenance tips you can employ in your home or business to ensure maximum cooling efficiency!

These simple steps can save you sweat, tears, time and utility costs:

  1. Change filters regularly

A dirty or clogged filter puts unnecessary strain on your A/C unit. Some units require filter changes once a month, while others have reusable filters that need to be cleaned. Keeping filters clean or replacing them can save you money and extend the life of your unit. 

  1. Adjust your thermostat 

Consider setting your unit to a higher temperature when you are away from the home for long periods during the day. The less time your unit has to work during the day, the longer it will last. Many modern thermostats enable you to pre-program your A/C unit’s schedule to match your own.

  1. Check ductwork/open spaces

 You’ll want to ensure any open spaces, such as those surrounding doors and windows, are properly sealed in order to help efficiently cool your home. It’s also a good idea to ensure your ductwork is sealed correctly, otherwise cool air might escape before ever making it into your home!

  1. Keep coils clean 

Keep your A/C coils (on the outside of your unit) clear of obstructions like leaves and other debris. This can be done with a regular garden hose and a broom. Additionally, ensure any surrounding shrubbery is trimmed, allowing enough space for the unit to properly function. 

  1. Schedule a tune-up!

Scheduling an annual tune-up with an HVAC professional can go a long way toward keeping your unit in great condition in the long run. An annual tune-up includes essential maintenance like filter checks, a refrigerant charge (if necessary), clearing and cleaning the condensate drain line and a thorough cleaning of the unit. 

Why Kinkaid?

Kinkaid has proudly served Montgomery, Bucks, Philadelphia and Chester Counties since 1917. We offer residential and commercial installation, maintenance and repair on all makes and models of HVAC equipment. Kinkaid is now offering $25 off on a spring tune-up, contact us to get started today! 

The Benefits of Wifi Thermostats

wifi thermostats

Wifi thermostats for your home are the wave of the future. As fully electronically connected and integrated homes grow more and more popular, wifi thermostats become an essential component to that. But they’re not just for impressing your friends. Nothing can compare to the convenience, control, and customization they offer. So, check out below if you’d like to read more about the benefits of wifi thermostats!

Convenience

First, most people know that when you leave the house, don’t turn off the A/C or heat and then crank it when you get home. That’ll cost you. It’s actually more frugal to maintain your home at a certain temperature throughout the day and then lower it a bit when you get home. Now, imagine with a wifi thermostat, knowing your home’s temperature anytime, anywhere. You can raise or lower it from anywhere. Imagine being able to lower the temperature while you’re out so that it’s right where you like it when you get home. Now that’s convenient!

Control

Second, a wifi thermostat offers temperature control like nothing else. With seven-day programming, you can put your A/C or heat on a weekly schedule. Want it to be 65º at 5pm on Tuesday but 75º at 5pm on Wednesday? You got it! Want it to be 74º from 9 to 5 on weekdays but 68º from 5 to 10? No problem!

Many wifi thermostats also feature:

  • Humidity sensors
  • Voice commands
  • Energy saver mode
  • Advanced fan/comfort control
  • Alerts to your phone
  • Weather response

Can you get more control than that?

Customization

Third, all of this leads us to the main benefit: customization. With all of the features already mentioned, it becomes clear that wifi thermostats give you more freedom and choices than any other type of system. Some even allow you to choose your own color scheme for the display screen. Furthermore, if your home gets a lot of sunlight, many wifi thermostats feature separate settings for sunnier rooms. So, if you like convenience, control, and customization, then a wifi thermostat is the best choice for you!

Condition Your Air with Kinkaid!

Last, if you’d like more information on wifi thermostats, or any other type of system, please feel free to contact us at Kinkaid! On the other hand, if the HVAC system in your home or office needs repair or replacement, consider giving us a call as well! We’d love to be your go-to business for all of your HVAC needs.

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!

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

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!

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!