Heater Stopped Working? 3 Common Problems

01.13.22

Winter has officially arrived. This season marks a time when many of us rely on our HVAC units to stay comfortable. If you’ve been in a situation where your heater stopped working, you already know it’s a major inconvenience. In this post, the experts at Kinkaid provide troubleshooting tips on 3 common heating problems and how to fix them.

Looking for expert heating repair, Ambler, PA homeowner? Give the team at Kinkaid a ring at (215) 646-5577 or visit us online to book services.

Common Heating Issues

Homeowners are bound to run into heating troubles, even with regular visits from an HVAC professional. Let’s look at 3 common heating problems and how to troubleshoot them.

Clogged Air Filters

If you’re experiencing weak air flow and/or reduced indoor air quality, it’s a good idea to check your HVAC air filters. An air filter should allow light to shine through when held up to a light source. If it doesn’t, the odds are your unit is having trouble filtering and moving air throughout the system.

Replace air filters every 30-90 days, depending on your household. You can find information like sizing printed on the frame of your old filter, and most home improvement stores carry standard HVAC air filters.

Blocked Outdoor Condenser Unit

If your HVAC system includes an outdoor condenser unit and you notice a loss in heating efficiency, you might want to head outside. The outdoor unit needs at least a 2-ft clearance around it to allow for proper airflow. Trim back any nearby trees, bushes and shrubbery to give your unit the required space.

It’s also important to carefully remove any leaves, twigs, branches, seeds or nuts that get trapped between the unit’s metal fins.

Check Your Thermostat

This one is simple, but it’s often the culprit behind heating headaches. Check to ensure your thermostat is set to ON and that it reflects your desired indoor temperature. This device is responsible for kicking on your unit in the first place, so it’s a good idea to check or replace the batteries if your unit doesn’t seem to turn on when it should.

Homeowners will also want to pay attention to the placement of a thermostat, keeping it out of direct sunlight and away from sources of unusually hot or cold air.

Best HVAC Company Ambler PA

If your heater stopped working and you’re unable to solve the issue at home, have a qualified HVAC technician take a look. Our team is on call and ready to help get your home back on track this winter. Give us a call at (215) 646-5577 or contact us online to book heating services today.

What Causes Low Airflow in Your A/C?

07.13.21

Low or impeded A/C airflow can cause problems ranging from a loss of cooling efficiency to more serious issues, like premature breakdowns. Understanding the reason for low airflow will help you prevent them and understand when it’s time to call a professional. Read on to learn what causes low AC airflow.

The Signs of Low Airflow in Your A/C

Low airflow causes your unit to work harder, raising utility costs and increasing wear and tear. Keep an eye out for the following signs:

No Air—if no air comes out of your vents when the unit runs, airflow may be completely blocked.
Uneven Cooling—one of the first signs of airflow problems occurs when you experience hot and cold pockets in the home.
Warm Air Blows Out—if warm air blows out instead of cooled air, it’s time to call a pro.

What Causes Low AC Airflow?

Some of the reasons for low airflow have simple fixes, while others warrant professional HVAC services. Let’s take a look:

1. Airflow Around Your Condenser Unit

Your outdoor condenser unit releases warm air removed from your home to the outside. Nearby trees, bushes and shrubbery can encroach on your condenser unit, blocking airflow around it and preventing it from releasing warm air. Trim back surrounding flora to ensure a roughly 2-ft clearance around your condenser at all times.

2. Clogged Air Filters

Dirty HVAC air filters won’t allow air to pass through your unit efficiently. Air filters need to be replaced (or cleaned, if reusable) every 30-90 days, depending on your climate, lifestyle and the number of pets in the home.

3. Dirty Air Ducts

The air ducts in your home transport cooled air from your HVAC unit to your air vents. A build-up of dust, mold growth or insect and rodent infestations can clog up your air vents, blocking air flow. Have air ducts inspected and cleaned annually to prevent this issue.

4. Refrigerant Levels

Low refrigerant levels are a common cause for airflow issues and indicate a unit that was undercharged to begin with or may point to a refrigerant leak. In either case, you’ll want to call a professional HVAC technician right away.

5. Dirty Coils

Dirty condenser coils won’t be able to release warm air efficiently. Annual A/C tune-ups will help keep your coils clean and working.

You Can Always Call on Kinkaid

Kinkaid serves Montgomery, Bucks, Philadelphia and Chester Counties with residential and commercial installation, maintenance and repairs on all makes and models of HVAC equipment. Our expert technicians are fully trained, licensed and insured to take care of all your HVAC needs. Contact us today to get started!

Storm Windows and Temperature Control

03.05.20

Controlling the temperature throughout your home always comes with challenges, especially if you have a very open space. You need to use everything you can to control your temperature and save money doing it. After all, you could always crank your A/C or your heat, but that’s not cost effective. So what else can you do? Storm windows are an incredibly helpful option to both keep your home cool when you want, and to help warm it up when you want. So, in this blog, we’ll show you some of the benefits of storm windows.

How Storm Windows Work

First, let’s discuss how these windows work. Storm windows get installed on the outside of your primary home windows. But they do more than add an extra layer of insulation. Storm windows have a low-e coating that reflects heat back inside the house during the winter, and reflects it outside during the summer. This keeps the home more comfortable year round. Additionally, these windows help reduce the sound of window on the outside and can work with any window treatment you have.

Storm Windows vs. Single Pane

Second, these windows might work well, but how do they compare to single pane windows? Single pane windows exist simply to do what windows do. To seal your home, to make it look nicer, and to allow you to look outside when you want. Therefore, they do minimal work in controlling the temperature in your home. However, if you add storm windows, they supplement single pane windows well because their primary function is to help control temperature. And, as we’ve said, they not only help in one particular season, but in all seasons.

Other Benefits

Third, consider some other benefits of having storm windows.

Not expensive
Reduces airflow for better insulation
Allows you to keep the old aesthetic from your windows
Easy to install
Helps make the main window warmer
Protects the primary window’s insulation
Helps reduce noise

Kinkaid HVAC is Here for You

Finally, if you’d like to learn more ways you can save money on heating and air conditioning, then reach out to us at Kinkaid Heating and Air Conditioning! A member of our amiable and competent staff would love to help you.

Air Conditioner Allergies and More: Debunking Myths

10.02.19

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.

Benefits of a Routinely Clean A/C Filter

06.28.19

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.

Spring Storm Tips For Your Home

04.18.19

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

03.20.19

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

01.17.19

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!

Holiday Home Safety

11.29.18

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

10.19.18

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!