John A. Kinkaid Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.

The Benefits of Duct Cleaning

Benefits of Duct Cleaning

Like all other parts of your home, your air ducts need cleaning and maintenance too. Despite the benefits of duct cleaning, many homeowners overlook this important task. For those who are especially sensitive to allergens, having your ducts cleaned is even more important as it helps to improve the air quality inside your home.

If you’re not sure about duct cleaning for your home, keep reading. Below, we’ll break down why duct cleaning is so important and dive into some of the benefits of duct cleaning you may not have considered. John A. Kinkaid Heating & Cooling offers exceptional duct cleaning services at reasonable prices.

Benefits of Duct Cleaning: Better Air Quality Inside Your Home

Given how much time we spend in our homes, we must maintain healthy air quality inside the home. The air that circulates throughout the vents in your home is the same air you’re consistently breathing in, so we want to ensure it is free of allergens. 

Having your ducts cleaned ensures that pollutants, such as pet dander and dust, are removed and helps improve the air quality within your home. Other harmful particles might also accumulate in your home’s ducts over time, such as carbon monoxide and pesticides which may result in long-term health problems.

Cleaning your ducts regularly can mean fewer respiratory symptoms and a better quality of life for those with asthma, allergies, or other chronic conditions.

Prolong Your HVAC Unit’s Lifespan

The last thing a homeowner like you wants to hear is that they need to purchase an expensive new HVAC unit. Having dirty ducts means that your unit has to work harder and can cause wear and tear. So, regular duct cleaning can help you keep your HVAC unit in better shape by helping to reduce wear and tear on the unit’s components.

Let Us Help Clean Your Home’s Ducts

Need help finding a trusted professional for your home’s duct cleaning? Our years of expertise and experienced team of friendly staff make us the best choice for a consistent and thorough job. Contact us today by completing an online form or giving us a call to schedule an appointment. We look forward to helping you improve the air quality in your home!

Duct, Duct, Goose – Don’t Act Silly When It Comes To Duct Cleaning!

Duct, Duct, Goose - Don't Act Silly When It Comes To Duct Cleaning!

Life is chock full of commitments and brimming with responsibilities. With so many things competing for your precious time, it’s easy to overlook the details of routine maintenance. This isn’t always a problem, as not all maintenance needs are equal, but when it comes to duct cleaning, there’s no place for procrastination and no give for goofing around. Make sure you’re not the odd one out when it comes to duct, duct, goose. Prioritize your air quality with the help of Kinkaid Heating & Air Conditioning today!

Of Symptoms & Sources

As humans, we can often be incredibly visual. Sometimes this translates into only approaching the problems right in front of us rather than remembering the devils hiding in the details. We’ll attack spots of mold, forgetting to counter the invisible conditions that caused it – we’ll often tackle the symptoms instead of the source. This can lead to big problems, as some of the most important functions that keep your house running smoothly are running behind the scenes. There are few better examples of these hidden household essentials than your duct system.

Unseen Shouldn’t Mean Unclean

When you spill juice all over the kitchen floor, do you leave it there to attract flies? When you drop crumbs on the counter, do you wait until the cockroaches come to clean up? Of course not! People usually take incredible pride in the interior parts of their homes – especially the things most visible to company. But what about the interior parts of your home that are less visible? 

Your air ducts are not only interior parts of your home – they’re pivotal parts! Their cleanliness is just as important as a clean kitchen counter or a stain-free carpet – arguably even more so, as they’re responsible for the air quality of your home and the healthy respiratory systems of you and your loved ones. It’s important to maintain the essential functions of your home, whether you can see them or not. When it comes to your air ducts, unseen should never mean unclean.

When It Comes To Duct Cleaning, Breathing Is Believing

Everyone’s heard the timeless saying, “seeing is believing.” When it comes to the cleanliness of your air ducts and the air quality of your home, we think the saying could use an update. “Breathing is believing” better captures the reality here. You may not be able to see the destructive dirt built up in your duct system, but you’ll be able to feel it with every sniffle, sneeze and runny nose. If you’re looking for air ducts so spotless that you can feel the squeaky clean, leave the task to the pros at Kinkaid Heating & Air Conditioning. With countless cleans under our belts, we’ll leave your ducts sparkling, your sinuses smiling, and your lungs laughing. Go with Kinkaid HVAC today!

Signs You Need Professional Air Duct Cleaning

The air ducts in our homes are responsible for carrying heated or cooled air from our HVAC systems into our living areas. Over time, air pollutants and other contaminants can build up, leading to decreased air quality, unpleasant odors, and in severe cases, to blockages that impede proper airflow. 

In this post, our experts discuss the benefits of air duct cleaning Ambler, PA, homeowners should know about. 

Need HVAC services ASAP? Kinkaid proudly serves Ambler, Willow Grove, Roslyn and the surrounding areas. Contact us online or call (215) 646-5577 to get started today. 

Common Air Duct Contaminants

While your HVAC unit ideally filters air before it moves into your air ducts, small enough particles can make it through. Clogged filters may become so saturated with contaminants, this too can lead to particles coming loose and traveling throughout your air duct system, eventually making their way back into your home. 

Dust, dander, pet hair, pollen and cooking gas particles can all build up in air ducts over time. If moisture makes its way in, mold and mildew growth can soon follow. 

Another potential threat to your air ducts is external. Insect and rodent infestations can leave behind nesting materials, droppings and carcasses.   

All of these contaminants can greatly decrease air quality and HVAC efficiency over time. 

Signs You Need Professional Air Duct Cleaning

Ideally, homeowners should schedule a professional air duct cleaning once a year. If you notice any of the following signs, however, it’s best to contact an Ambler HVAC company right away:

  • Strange noises coming from air ducts
  • Unpleasant odors when your unit runs
  • An uptick in occupant allergy symptoms when the unit runs
  • Evidence of mold or mildew in or around air vents
  • Impeded air flow despite regular HVAC maintenance

The Benefits of Air Duct Cleaning

Scheduling professional air duct cleaning at least once a year will help eliminate unpleasant, musty odors, keep your HVAC system clean and efficient and discourage nesting and infestations. This service can also benefit those who are sensitive to allergies or those who struggle with asthma or other respiratory challenges.  


The team at Kinkaid specializes in professional air duct cleaning services, along with HVAC repairs and replacements! Contact us online to get started today, or give us a call at (215) 646-5577.

The Benefits of Residential Duct Cleaning

Air ducts often fall victim to an out of sight, out of mind mentality. As a result, many homeowners may not consider duct cleaning until there is a major problem, such as an insect or rodent infestation. It’s important not to overlook this component of home maintenance. In this post, we discuss the benefits of residential duct cleaning Montgomery County, PA homeowners should know about.

Air Duct Contaminants

Air ducts can harbor contaminants like pet dander, pollen, dust, remnants from insect or rodent infestations and even mold or mildew. Furthermore, these pollutants can build up over time and, if left unchecked, can cause HVAC and air quality problems.

What Does Duct Cleaning Entail?

A professional company like Kinkaid performs a thorough inspection and cleaning of your whole duct system. This includes air registers, vents, grilles, the housing of your HVAC unit and more. Working with Kinkaid includes the additional benefit of our knowledge in related areas, such as heating, cooling and water heating. This enables our technicians to take a holistic approach to air duct cleaning, with a thorough understanding of potential root causes behind problems like inefficient airflow, unpleasant noises or the presence of mold and mildew.

The Benefits of Residential Duct Cleaning

Next, let’s look at some of the benefits homeowners can enjoy as a result of regular air duct cleaning:

  • Reduces the smell of musty odors.
  • Reduces the amounts of allergens like dust and pet dander present in the home.
  • Prolongs the life of your HVAC unit and air filters.
  • Ensures thorough inspections of ductwork through regular cleanings by qualified professionals.
  • Reduces the risk of fires, as in the case of dryer vent ductwork.

When to Clean Air Ducts

Ductwork should be cleaned once a year, as a general rule of thumb. Depending on factors like a homeowner’s climate, air duct system and the number of pets in the home, this will vary.

Work with 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 here to help, contact us today to get started!

Tips to Improve Indoor Air Quality

Since the Covid-19 outbreak, many of us spend more time than usual indoors or at home. Indoors, we rely on the air cycling through our HVAC systems. Although we tend to think of HVAC systems in terms of heating and cooling, we also depend on them as means of air quality control. In this post, we share tips to improve indoor air quality in your home.

Air Quality Matters   

Poor indoor air quality can cause health issues like headaches, allergy symptoms, asthma symptoms, fatigue, rashes and difficulty concentrating, as well as eye, nose, throat and lung irritations.

How to Improve Indoor Air Quality

Our heating and cooling systems are responsible for both filtering AND cycling air throughout our homes. As a result, inadequate HVAC maintenance is a major contributor to poor indoor air quality. To help keep air quality-related health issues at bay, consider the following:

  • Filters––change or clean reusable HVAC filters often. If you live in a home with pets or in an area prone to contaminants like dust or pollen, you’ll want to perform this task even more frequently. Air filters trap contaminants and keep them from reentering your home, but a dirty air filter can impede airflow. This causes your unit to run less efficiently and prevents ongoing air filtration. HEPA filters are specially designed to help improve air quality.
  • Clean Air Ducts––as air travels through air ducts, pollutants like dust, pollen and bacteria can be deposited along the way and build up over time. Insect or rodent infestations can lead to odors and decreased air quality. Additionally, if moisture enters ductwork, mold and mildew can cause health concerns. Having air ducts cleaned frequently helps avoids all of these problems.
  • Clean Coils––dirty coils inside of your unit will impede system efficiency. This not only costs you money and eventually leads to breakdowns, it also prevents air from properly cycling through your system and the filters you have in place.

Work with Kinkaid!

The best way to keep up with HVAC maintenance is to work with a professional. Annual tune-ups and inspections help keep your system clean and efficient. A qualified technician can also advise on how often to clean or replace air filters, depending on your situation.

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

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.

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.

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!

5 Reasons to Invest in Duct Cleaning

Willow Grove HVAC

When it comes to home maintenance, your ducts are probably last on your mind. But there’s good reason to get them cleaned regularly, and maybe even add the task to your yearly checklist.

In this blog, we’ll outline five reasons to invest in duct cleaning if you haven’t in a while. As a Willow Grove HVAC company for generations, we’re happy to share our expertise with the community we serve.

Duct Cleaning: Key to Indoor Air Quality and HVAC Efficiency

Can’t remember the last time you had the ducts cleaned? Here are a few ways completing this project contributes to the upkeep of your home, and why you should consider hiring a pro to tackle it soon:

  • HVAC Efficiency: Dirty ducts could potentially be stifling your HVAC system’s efficiency. Think about it: Even if your system is the latest, most efficient model, it will have to work harder to distribute air through murky ducts. Over time, that could be adding up to a bigger bill.
  • Fewer Breakdowns Over Time: As your HVAC system works harder to push air through a blocked system, it could be wearing out faster. A small investment in duct cleaning could be a much larger investment in an HVAC system that breaks down less frequently.
  • Allergy Relief: The National Air Duct Cleaners Association recommends cleaning the ducts every three to five years in the average household—but yearly if residents have serious allergies or asthma. Clearing the ducts of allergens regularly helps keep the air you breathe from activating troublesome symptoms.
  • Indoor Air Quality: Speaking of the air you breathe, indoor air quality is important even for those without allergies. Consider getting the ducts cleaned if you have pets that shed, if there are smokers in your home, or if you’ve done any type or renovating in the home recently. These activities contribute to polluted indoor air quality, which could affect your health over time.
  • Mold Buildup: Finally, if there’s been a water event in your home (like a flooded basement), your ducts are in danger of mold buildup that damages the home and potentially harms your health. Duct cleaning is the simplest way to resolve this issue, though you might consider having the home inspected by a water remediation company as well to ensure the structural integrity of your home is intact.

Kinkaid Has a Family Tradition of Excellent Willow Grove HVAC Service

We’re the company that’s been around for decades, and that your neighbors know to call when there’s a heating, cooling, or ventilation need.

If your home could use duct cleaning, or an HVAC installation or repair, please reach out to us for a prompt, friendly response and fair estimate. Our track record speaks for itself.

 

215-657-1262

Willow Grove

 

215-646-5577

Ambler

 

1-866-HEAT-106

Toll Free

 

Email: John.Kinkaid.HVAC@gmail.com