John A. Kinkaid Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.

Replace A/C Filters: Why it Matters

One of the best things you can do for your HVAC system is frequently change or clean its air filters. Clean air filters improve indoor air quality at home and help keep your unit efficient. In this post, the experts at Kinkaid discuss how to replace AC filter FAQs.

The Importance of Clean Air Filters

Air quality is often worse indoors than it is outside. Here’s what the air filters in your home help catch:

  • Dust and dirt
  • Pet hair 
  • Pollen
  • Dander
  • Mold and mold spores
  • Bacteria and other microorganisms
  • Fibers and lint

Air pollutants like these can exacerbate symptoms in allergy and asthma sufferers. If you or others in the home frequently experience runny noses, sneezing, coughing fits, headaches and nausea, poor air quality may be at work (always consult a doctor about symptoms first).

What are MERV Ratings on HVAC Filters?

The Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) rating of an air filter indicates how effective it is. The higher an air filter’s MERV rating is, the smaller the particles it can trap. This means a higher MERV rating means you’re getting a more efficient filter. Residential HVAC units can use air filters with a MERV rating of up to around 12 before it becomes too difficult to push air through (higher MERV ratings, like 20, are typically reserved for medical settings). Your local Kinkaid HVAC technician can recommend the best MERV rating for your home.   

How Do Reusable Air Filters Work?

Washable or reusable air filters are a more eco-friendly option. These typically last for several years before they need to be replaced. Reusable air filters with high MERV rating can be difficult to find. Households where allergies or other respiratory challenges are a concern might benefit from using HEPA-type filters instead. 

How Do I Replace My A/C Air Filter?

You might have one to three (or more) return vents that pull air into your unit to be cooled (depending on the size of your home). To replace an air filter:

  1. Remove the grate in front of the return vent. 
  2. Check the old air filter for sizing (dimensions are often printed on the side of the filter’s frame). 
  3. Insert the new filter, ensuring any arrows printed on the frame point toward your ductwork, where air is being drawn in.  

As a general rule of thumb, replace or clean air filters every 90 days. This number will vary depending on your location, lifestyle and number of pets in the home. Aside from frequently replacing air filters, the best way to keep your unit efficient is to schedule annual maintenance from an HVAC professional.

Call Kinkaid For HVAC Maintenance

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!

The Home Heating Mistake That is Costing You Money

number one home heating mistake

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Contact us in the Willow Grove area at 215-657-1262 and in the Ambler area at 215-646-5577. Or, contact us online to request an appointment today!

Home Heating Myths That Cost You Money

home heating myths

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Contact us in the Willow Grove area at 215-657-1262 and in the Ambler area at 215-646-5577. Or, contact us online to request an appointment today!

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!

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.

Four Heating Myths Put to the Test

energy saving myth

On the hunt for some heating advice and energy-saving tips? Here are four heating myths put to the test by the energy experts at John A. Kinkaid Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.

Myth 1: Leaving the heat on low all day is the most efficient way to save money.

Fact: You will save more money and energy by only turning the heat on when you need it. This strategy works best if you use a timer, as your thermostat is designed to turn the heat on and off to keep your home at the temperature at which you set it.

Myth 2: Turning the heat on and off creates condensation that collects in the walls and causes my house to leak heat more quickly, costing me more money.

Fact: This is partially true, but your home will always leak a certain amount of heat, so if you leave the heat on all day, you will be leaking heat – and money – all day. Using a timer, you can set the heat to come on in time to have the house warm when you get home. If you use more blankets at night, you can afford to turn the heat down when you are sleeping. The minimal rise in heat loss due to condensation is not enough to compete with the cumulated heat loss from leaving the heat on all day.

Myth 3: I have to leave the heat on while I’m gone to keep my dog or cat comfortable.

Fact: Most pets are far hardier than we give them credit for. Most of them have fur coats, after all! If you’re worried about Fluffy getting chilly, give him a breed-appropriate jacket and a nice warm bed to sleep in. You don’t have to turn the heat off completely, but you can at least knock the temperature down.

Myth 4: Putting cling film on my windows will help slow the heat loss in my home.

Fact: This one actually does work! Well, to a point. You are better off investing in double-glazed windows as a long-term solution, but until you get them installed, cling film is a suitable alternative. This technique traps a thin layer of air which helps insulate and prevent excess heat loss. However, cling film and double-glazing will not compensate for drafts around windows and doors, so you had better get those fixed if you want to take full advantage of this heat-saving measure.

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 warm and save money this winter! 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!

Why Is My Air Conditioner Blowing Warm Air?

air conditioner blowing warm air

On a hot summer day, the last thing you want is hot air blowing out of your air conditioner. No, thank you! Not only is it terribly inconvenient after you’ve spent a long day outdoors, it’s also a sign that your air conditioner might need some maintenance work, a repair, or even a replacement. So, what’s with the warm airflow? We can help explain this aggravating issue.

Your faulty air conditioner could be a result of a:

  • Frozen A/C unit. Ironically, this is the most common cause of warm air. When the evaporator coil freezes, it blocks the cool air flowing into your home, and the motor’s heat gives you warm air instead. Not ideal when you walk into your home and expect to cool off!
  • Blown breaker switch. Breakers can switch off for what seems like no apparent reason, but usually the cause is a power overload. If the breaker has too much current, it will switch off on its own as a safety precaution.
  • Refrigerant leak. Refrigerants can leak for a variety of reasons: a joint coming loose due to heavy use, a worn service valve, or perhaps a poorly assembled A/C unit. Make sure you choose an HVAC company that uses only the highest-quality materials and brands for their products.
  • Wiring problem. If one of the wires in your A/C unit is cut, frayed, or damaged in some capacity, it could cause weak airflow, or it could even break down the entire unit.
  • Dirty air filter. Air filters can get clogged very easily, which causes blockage that won’t clear up until the filter is replaced. An older filter can contribute to the warm air that’s blowing, and it will minimize your air conditioner’s effectiveness.
  • Thermostat setting. You or one of your kids may have accidentally switched your A/C to “heat” mode. A common mistake, and one that is easily amended!

For some of these issues, you’re going to want to contact your handy HVAC company as soon as possible to inspect your air conditioner and determine what the problem is. Kinkaid has the quality A/C, heating, and duct cleaning services your home needs for maximum comfort and safety! For more information, give us a call at 215-657-1262, or email John.Kinkaid.HVAC@Gmail.com.

Willow Grove
215-646-5577

Ambler
1-866-HEAT-106